The geopolitical factor remains the main and most serious uncertainty for the implementation of the plan for the electrical interconnection of Crete and Cyprus. This is confirmed by the time-consuming procedures for conducting seabed surveys, as well as Turkey’s reaction every time a NAVTEX is issued, and research vessels head out to sea to conduct investigations for the laying of the cable for the electrical interconnection.

After the incident near Kasos last summer, with the strong presence of five Turkish ships, Ankara showed its intentions once again yesterday when a Turkish corvette appeared to monitor the marine research operations for the installation of an underwater cable seven miles north of Crete in international waters, outside the zone of the illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum and Turkish jurisdiction areas. The relevant NAVTEX had been issued by the Heraklion station of the Hydrographic Service of the Navy. The first NAVTEX was issued a few days earlier, last Thursday, January 30, specifying the coordinates based on which the “underwater cable protection works” would start, conducted by the Italian-flagged research vessels “NG Worker” and “Levoli Relume” from February 1 to 5. This development triggered Ankara, which responded by sending a Turkish corvette to a distance from the research vessels and outside the territorial waters.

As a result, a Greek Navy frigate sailed to the area, escorting the research ships, along with a Coast Guard vessel and an unmanned aerial vehicle of the Armed Forces.

Turkey’s response came on the same day that the Foreign Ministers of the two countries, Giorgos Gerapetritis and Hakan Fidan, met in Doha, Qatar, for the upcoming High-Level Cooperation Council in Ankara, and the issue of the electrical interconnection was on the table for discussion. Gerapetritis and Fidan had confronted the issue of marine surveys last November, and at that time, according to information, a level of understanding had been sought so that Ankara would not react to every NAVTEX issuance. However, Turkey’s stance yesterday shows that such an agreement has not been reached and that discussions will need to continue.

The geopolitical factor remains the biggest thorn in the side of the cable project for ADMIE, which has taken on the project in close cooperation with the Greek government.

Next Thursday, a Cypriot delegation, led by the new President of RAEK, Poly Lemonaris, will arrive in Athens. The delegation will have successive meetings with ADMIE and RAAEYP. One of the key issues surrounding the electrical interconnection is Cyprus’ participation in the Great Sea Interconnector, the implementing body of the project. Nicosia has sent a series of questions on the matter to the Ministry of Environment and Energy, following recommendations from the American firm hired by the Cypriot government.

The issue that has arisen and has been raised by the Cypriots concerns their demand to transfer all the fixed assets of the electrical interconnection to the new body.

ADMIE has pointed out that first, the structure of the share capital of the Great Sea Interconnector must be completed, with Cyprus’ participation, and then the assets of the project will be transferred to GSI, as Nicosia requests.

However, the Cypriot side argues that it is crucial to participate in a company that is also the owner of the infrastructure and not just an implementing body, as GSI is today.

Both the Ministry of Environment and Energy and ADMIE do not deny the Cypriot side’s request for the transfer of assets, but they emphasize that the Cypriot side must first be certified as a manager by the EU.