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Great Sea Interconnector enters “decisive phase” with French involvement

In-Cyprus · 2026-08-19

AI SUMMARY

• What happened: The Great Sea Interconnector project, aimed at connecting Greece and Cyprus through electricity, has entered a decisive phase with the involvement of a French company, enhancing its technical and geopolitical significance. • Why it matters: The project is recognized as a Project of Common European Interest, emphasizing its importance not just for Greece and Cyprus but for the entire European Union's energy strategy, while also strengthening diplomatic ties among Greece, Cyprus, and France. • What to watch next: Updated technical and financial studies are expected soon, which will provide further insights into the project's progress and potential challenges, particularly regarding Turkey's possible reactions.

Economy europeGreat Sea InterconnectorTop Newsturkey Great Sea Interconnector enters “decisive phase” with French involvement Letimpiotis Relevant News Great Sea Interconnector enters “decisive phase” with French involvement 19 August 2026 Strovolos to close two roads for resurfacing works next week 19 August 2026 Dry rivers flow again after August storms hit parts of Cyprus 19 August 2026 newsroom 19 August 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber The Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project is entering a “decisive phase toward its implementation,” Government Spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said. Speaking to OPEN television on the latest developments surrounding the Great Sea Interconnector, Letymbiotis stressed the importance of a French company’s participation in the project, saying it strengthens both the technical and the geopolitical and diplomatic dimensions of the project. Asked directly whether French involvement reduces geopolitical risk, he went further, saying it strengthens the diplomatic power of Greece and Cyprus specifically. “France’s involvement strengthens our diplomatic power far more,” he said, referring to Cyprus, Greece, France and the European Union acting together. The European character of the project Letymbiotis placed particular emphasis on the European character of the electricity interconnection, noting that it is not a project concerning only Greece and Cyprus. He recalled that the Great Sea Interconnector is a Project of Common European Interest, a designation the European Commission gives to energy projects it considers a priority, and which it has placed high among its priorities for the European Union’s energy interconnection. Christodoulides in contact with Mitsotakis and Macron Letymbiotis confirmed reports of contacts between President Nikos Christodoulides and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron. He said the contacts took place both before the official announcement of French participation and in recent days, with the aim of high-level political coordination on a project that is a priority for Athens and Nicosia. “Room for diplomacy” over possible Turkish reaction Asked about the possibility of a Turkish reaction once surveys begin, the Government Spokesman avoided pre-empting developments, stressing that Greece and Cyprus would initially give room to diplomacy. He signalled, however, that the Republic of Cyprus would not allow its sovereign rights to be questioned, nor would it tolerate any challenge to them. Updated studies expected Referring to the financial side of the Great Sea Interconnector, Letymbiotis said Greece and Cyprus had jointly approached the European Investment Bank, aiming to update the technical and financial data. He said the relevant studies would likely be available in the coming period, and would complete the picture regarding the project’s progress and prospects for implementation. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Strovolos to close two roads for resurfacing works next week Dry rivers flow again after August storms hit parts of Cyprus Occupied north IVF clinic rejects BBC report on donor mix-ups Heading out to hunt while the mercury’s still climbing Averof, my old teacher… How the attack on DISY and AKEL blew up in his own face Jet ski rescue saves swimmer off Limassol beach Who exactly is Averof Neofytou talking to? Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.

Source: In-Cyprus
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