Tensions are rising in the waters of the Eastern Mediterranean ahead of the resumption of work by the French company Meridiam on the Cyprus–Greece power interconnection.
According to the schedule, Athens is set to issue a NAVTEX for the resumption of bathymetric surveys between October 15 and 26. Behind the scenes, negotiations are intense, as the clock is ticking to avoid a major confrontation.
Athens has made it clear that the operations will proceed without Turkish approval, while Ankara—which claims the areas as part of its own continental shelf—is demanding prior written notification. The question for Athens is whether, if such notification is ultimately provided, it will constitute a mere notification or be interpreted by Ankara as Turkish authorization, thereby establishing a fait accompli on the ground.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
STAVROS PAPASTAVROU, Minister of Environment and Energy: “There is no
question of a permit or anything similar from Turkey, because that is not required. The implementation of the power interconnection is moving forward and will be completed in the coming weeks.”
KONSTANTINOS FILIS, Director of the Institute of International Affairs: “Let’s not
delude ourselves; Turkey will demand to give its own consent; it will not be satisfied with merely being informed. On the other hand, we must be clear that there is no intention of seeking Turkey’s approval.”
The next 10 days will be decisive for the final outcome, while a concentration of military assets is expected in the Kasos area. The United States will also be monitoring developments from a distance via the destroyer Roosevelt, which is sailing in the area.
FRAGKOS FRAGKOULIS, Former Minister of National Defense, Deputy Chief of the General Staff: “We will
have taken preemptive action long before they show up with their frigates and aircraft. We have both the strength and the power, and let no one doubt what our armed forces are capable of.”
Christodoulides, Mitsotakis, and Macron, who will meet on Wednesday in Split for the Med 9 leaders’ summit, are expected to discuss the formula that will allow the resumption of investigations into the GSI.
See the report by Christoforos Nestoros:
