FAMAGUSTA GAZETTE – Developments are expected this week in the “Great Sea Interconnector” project, an initiative to establish an undersea electrical link between Cyprus and Greece.
The Kathimerini newspaper reports that the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Center has activated the mechanism for issuing NAVTEX, allowing research vessels to operate in international waters near Kashot and Karpathos islands starting April 10-11.
Greece, with support from allies including France, has reached compromises to advance the project.
Nexans, the French company constructing the cable, faced delays last year due to Türkiye’s stance in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Greek Foreign Minister Yorgos Ierapetridis has emphasized the importance of energy security in discussions with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.
While no date has been set for a meeting between Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, both sides agreed to a general schedule of contacts.
Meanwhile, Türkiye’s Navigation Hydrography and Oceanography Center issued NAVTEX for the BİLİM 2 ship to conduct research in various waters from April 7-20.
The Greek Independent Electricity Transmission Operator (ADMIE) has also submitted requests to issue NAVTEX for related activities in the region.
Recent media reports have highlighted interest from Chevron in two energy parcels south of Crete as part of recent developments tied to the project.
The GSI project involves an 898-kilometer-long undersea cable and is seen as a crucial step toward integrating the Eastern Mediterranean into Europe’s energy network.