Turkey has renewed its demand for prior approval and consultation with Ankara over the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), the planned electricity link connecting Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
Mustafa Başkara, director of Turkey’s Centre for Maritime Law Research (DEHUKAM), told CNN Türk that the proposed cable route crosses areas Turkey considers part of its continental shelf and argued that activities there require Turkish consent.
He also accused Greece of advancing “maximalist” maritime claims and violating the demilitarisation status of some Aegean islands. These statements reflect Ankara’s position on the disputed maritime areas.
Turkey cites maritime agreements
Başkara based his argument on coordinates Turkey submitted to the United Nations in March 2020, which Ankara says define the boundaries of its continental shelf in the Mediterranean.
He also cited the 2019 maritime delimitation agreement between Turkey and Libya and a 2011 agreement between Turkey and the breakaway Turkish Cypriot administration.
Başkara argued that these agreements support Turkey’s claims over the maritime areas concerned.
He said other countries could carry out undersea cable and pipeline projects, but maintained that the route, method and location of such works in areas Turkey claims must be determined in consultation with Ankara and receive its approval.
GSI described as an alternative to EastMed
Başkara linked the electricity interconnector to the proposed EastMed natural gas pipeline, which was intended to transport energy resources from the Eastern Mediterranean towards Europe.
He described the GSI as an alternative approach under which Israel and the Republic of Cyprus could use renewable energy resources and transmit electricity to Europe through undersea cables.
According to Başkara, the planned route would also pass through areas that Turkey claims as part of its continental shelf.
The GSI is intended to connect the electricity networks of Israel, Cyprus and Greece, potentially improving energy links between the Eastern Mediterranean and Europe.
Ankara insists on prior approval
Asked by CNN Türk why Greece had not sought Turkey’s approval, Başkara said the requirement, in Turkey’s view, applied to any country planning activities in areas Ankara considers part of its continental shelf.
He argued that coastal states have a say in the routes of undersea cables and pipelines crossing their continental shelves and insisted that Turkey’s consent would be necessary for the project to proceed in the areas it claims.
The claims concern disputed maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean. Turkey’s position on the GSI route remains contested, and Başkara’s statements do not in themselves establish that Ankara has a recognised legal right to approve the project.
Dispute extends to the Aegean
Başkara also accused Greece of pursuing maximalist claims over maritime zones in the Aegean and argued that Turkey retains continental shelf rights in the area.
The interview then turned to the military status of Greek islands, including Rhodes, Kastellorizo and other islands in the Dodecanese.
Başkara claimed that these islands should remain demilitarised and accused Greece of breaching the relevant obligations. He also referred to NATO’s position, but the interview excerpt did not identify a specific NATO decision supporting his claim.
The remarks come amid continuing disagreements between Turkey and Greece over maritime boundaries, continental shelf rights and security in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean.
Also read: GSI: Greece expected to issue NAVTEX in October
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