The survey vessel Abeille Marengo has departed from Heraklion, Crete, to begin preparations for seabed surveys linked to the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the electricity cable connecting Greece and Cyprus.
Great Sea Interconnector S.A. and Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (IPTO) announced that the vessel would initially carry out instrument calibration before proceeding with the planned surveys, in accordance with navigational warnings issued by the competent Greek and Cypriot authorities.
The departure comes amid renewed tensions over the project, after Greece issued a counter-NAVTEX declaring a Turkish navigation warning concerning the survey activities invalid.
Greece rejects Turkish NAVTEX
The Heraklion NAVTEX station issued warning 1441/26, declaring a previous message transmitted by an “unauthorised station” to be “null and void”.
The message being rejected, numbered FA76-1127/26, corresponds to Turkish NAVTEX 1127/26, issued on the evening of November 10. It stated that Turkey had given its consent for the surveys to begin.
The Greek counter-warning effectively invalidates the Turkish notice.
According to the Greek NAVTEX, a significant part of the planned survey lines, defined by two sets of 11 coordinates each, lies within the Greek Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and continental shelf, as defined under international law and Greek Law 4001/2011.
It also stresses that surveys in Greek maritime areas must comply with the conditions of Greek permits numbered 31373/07.06.2024, 9020/11.02.2026 and 65808/06.11.2026.
The warning further states that NAVWARN HA15-1411/26 remains in force. The new notice is automatically cancelled on March 20, 2027.
NEMESIS 2026 exercise focuses on energy infrastructure
Meanwhile, the multinational NEMESIS 2026 exercise is taking place today within Cyprus’ EEZ, with the participation of eight countries.
The exercise involves the planning and execution of complex air and naval scenarios, focusing on maritime security and the protection of critical energy infrastructure.
Christodoulides attends climate summit in Turkey
President Nikos Christodoulides is in Antalya, Turkey, to attend the Climate Summit.
In his address, he is expected to focus on the effects of the climate crisis on the region and highlight Cyprus’ role as a regional hub for stability and action.
UN Secretary-General describes Cyprus talks as substantive
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has characterised the results of the trilateral meeting on the Cyprus issue in Nicosia as substantive.
Guterres held a brief telephone conversation with President Christodoulides following the meeting.
Cyprus, Greece and Egypt parliamentary meeting
The House of Representatives is hosting the second trilateral meeting of the Presidents of the Parliaments of Cyprus, Greece and Egypt today.
Also read: Multinational exercise “NEMESIS 2026” to take place in Cyprus’ EEZ
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