MEP Nikolas Farandouris has raised, in a written question to the European Commission, the delays in completing the Great Sea Interconnector, citing Turkish threats as well as disputes between the Greek and Cypriot governments. Farandouris is a member of the Security and Defense and Budget Committees of the European Parliament.

He emphasizes that “the Greece-Cyprus interconnection with the European electricity grid through the Great Sea Interconnector constitutes a decisive step for the energy integration of the European Union. It aligns with the EU’s goals for greater diversification of energy sources, strengthening supply security, and the consequent need to reduce dependence on imported hydrocarbons.”

However, according to the Greek MEP and professor, despite EU financial and political support, the project has recently faced uncertainty:

• On one hand, Turkey attempts to obstruct the project through threats of force and by presenting unfounded claims about maritime jurisdiction, aiming to serve its regional strategic interests.
• On the other hand, disputes exist between Cypriot and Greek authorities—between the governments (President of the Republic of Cyprus N. Christodoulides, Energy Minister S. Papastavrou) and agencies (ADMIE)—regarding their respective obligations and, ultimately, the project’s financial viability, causing further delays.

Farandouris stresses that the project’s completion holds broader significance beyond the two countries, benefiting Europe as a whole:
“This is a project of European strategic importance, strengthening the internal energy market, enhancing regional security, and connecting Cyprus energetically with the rest of the Union for the first time. That is why the EU has supported it financially and politically.”

In light of this, Farandouris calls on the European Commission to intervene to ensure the project’s rapid completion. He also requests information on how the EU intends to address Turkey’s military threats against a strategic European project.

The Great Sea Interconnector Project

The Greece–Cyprus–Israel electricity interconnection is one of the largest submarine electricity transmission projects globally.

With the Great Sea Interconnector, Cyprus’s national electricity grid (and subsequently Israel’s) will gain a green, reliable, and bidirectional submarine connection with Greece and the rest of Europe.

The project will enable better utilization of the electricity produced in all three countries and serve as a new alternative energy supply source for the European Union.

The under-construction section between Cyprus and Greece (Crete) is 898 km long and has received €657 million in funding from the Connecting Europe Facility mechanism.