Preparations by Athens and Paris to resume work on the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) are at an advanced stage, with a French-flagged vessel expected to carry out seabed surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity cable.
According to Kathimerini, the two sides have agreed on the content of a communiqué that will be sent to interested coastal states, including Turkey, informing them of the planned work. Crucially, Ankara will be notified but will not be asked to grant permission for the surveys.
The preparations follow French investment group Meridiam’s acquisition of a majority stake in the Great Sea Interconnector. Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO/ADMIE) retains technical leadership during construction and will be responsible for operating the interconnection once completed. Meridiam acquired a 66% stake in the project in August.
French vessel to survey disputed maritime areas
According to the report, the communiqué will state that a specific French-flagged vessel will conduct surveys required for the cable installation, including in maritime areas that have not been delimited between neighbouring states.
The document is expected to specify both the areas where the research vessel will operate and the duration of the work.
Greece, Cyprus and Turkey will be notified, while Egypt could also receive notification depending on the areas covered by the surveys.
It remains unclear who will formally transmit the communiqué, with the research vessel itself, Meridiam and the French government among the possibilities under consideration.
France’s involvement in the Great Sea Interconnector has grown significantly in recent months. French President Emmanuel Macron has committed to the research vessel conducting the seabed surveys on behalf of French cable manufacturer Nexans sailing under the French flag.
Turkey to be informed, not asked for permission
A key element of the plan is that Athens does not intend to seek Ankara’s permission to carry out the surveys.
A NAVTEX for the work is expected to be issued by the Heraklion station of the Hellenic Navy’s Hydrographic Service.
The approach is intended to distinguish between formally informing Turkey about the forthcoming work and entering a process that could be interpreted as seeking Ankara’s approval.
Recent reporting from Kathimerini has similarly indicated that informing Turkey, rather than requesting its permission, is the approach being pursued by Athens and Paris.
Turkey’s response remains uncertain
The major question is how Ankara will respond.
According to Turkish positions cited by Kathimerini, when surveys or cable-laying operations are planned in areas where Turkey claims sovereign rights and jurisdiction, Ankara maintains that the vessel’s flag state should first contact it through diplomatic channels.
It is therefore unclear whether Turkey will regard the communiqué as sufficient.
Possible responses being considered include Turkey issuing its own NAVTEX, requesting further consultations or deploying a warship to the survey area.
The latter possibility would recall the tensions of July 2024, when Turkish warships challenged an Italian-flagged vessel carrying out seabed surveys connected to the project south of Kasos and Karpathos.
French investment gives GSI new momentum
The planned restart comes after Meridiam’s entry into the project gave the Great Sea Interconnector a significantly stronger French commercial presence.
IPTO has described the French group’s involvement as a major development for the implementation of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection, while retaining its own technical role in the project.
The GSI is designed to connect Cyprus with the European electricity grid through Greece, with a further link between Cyprus and Israel also planned. The project has received €657 million in European funding.
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