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Age-old Greece-Turkey differences cast shadow over new undersea power link

Maritime surveys held for 1,9 bln euro power link between Greece and Cyprus bring to the surface age-old maritime disputes between neighbouring countries. Greek government and IPTO officials say work on project continuing as normal.

A critical energy project linking Greece and Cyprus could be at risk due to unresolved territorial disputes with Turkey. The Great Sea Interconnector, a €1.9 billion undersea electricity link, faces mounting geopolitical hurdles as Turkey sends warships to monitor ongoing maritime surveys.

Without a formal agreement on Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) between the two neighbouring rivals, a leading political analyst tells Business Daily that the project’s future remains uncertain.

The deployment a few days ago of a Turkish warship to observe survey operations in the northern Cretan Sea has heightened tensions over the Great Sea Interconnector.

The Greek government and the Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE), the project promoter of the power line, say that it is business as usual and that work on it is progressing as planned but political analyst Theodoros Tsikas, who is also vice-president of the Union of European Federalists (UEF) Greece, foresees further obstacles ahead.

“This incident underscores the need for a diplomatic resolution in Greek-Turkish relations,” Tsikas told Business Daily. “While agreements with Turkey for 'calm ties' are positive, they cannot replace a settlement of Greek-Turkish differences.”

Tsikas believes that Greece could struggle to advance the project unless a formal agreement on EEZ's is reached—either through bilateral negotiations or by taking the matter to the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Despite the tensions, Tsikas does not anticipate an immediate escalation. “At this stage, surveys are limited to surface-level research, but laying the cable on the seabed—part of the continental shelf in an undefined area—will be far more contentious,” he explained.

SECOND INCIDENT WITH TURKEY

This is not the first time that the development of the cable has prompted Ankara to intervene by sending frigates to the spot where surveys were being conducted.

Last summer, five Turkish Navy vessels ordered the research ship Ievoli Relume to halt its work south of Kasos, an island in the Dodecanese. Meanwhile, geopolitical risks associated with the project nearly brought an end to negotiations between ADMIE and Cyprus on the deal just a few months ago.

However, support from Europe and the U.S. helped stabilize the agreement. Furthermore, French investment firm Meridiam has agreed to acquire a 49.9% stake in the infrastructure project, signalling strong European commitment to its completion.

Nevertheless, as long as Greece and Turkey’s EEZs remain unresolved, tensions will persist, threatening the project’s viability.

“The research vessel off Crete is currently in international waters—close to Greek territorial waters but outside them,” Tsikas noted. “Within territorial waters, a nation has full control, but in international waters, a number of issues arise. For example, in an undefined EEZ, as is the case here, activities like surveys and resource exploitation are generally restricted.”

"There is therefore the major issue of the Exclusive Economic Zones in both the Aegean and the Eastern Mediterranean, between Greece and Turkey. The two countries had signed a protocol in 1976, the so-called Bern Protocol, which Turkey cites. In this, it was agreed that neither country should take actions outside territorial waters, that is, in the international waters of the Aegean, until the final status of the continental shelf is agreed upon," he added.

CONTINUATION OF SURVEYS

Despite the ongoing friction, Greek government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis confirmed that survey operations will proceed without disruption.

“The research is continuing as planned, and the project remains on track with no possibility of interruption,” Marinakis stated.

Greece’s Navy and Coast Guard are closely monitoring Turkish movements in the area, and an official NAVTEX has been issued for the research. The Greek government remains firm in its stance that the Great Sea Interconnector will move forward as scheduled, despite geopolitical tensions.

 

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