A “war” of statements is raging between DISY and AKEL against the backdrop of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection.
First, Pindarou took aim at the government and AKEL, noting that “they continue to approach the issue with contradictions,” to which AKEL responded that “if anyone is not entitled to lecture on energy, it is DISY,” adding that during its ten years in government, DISY “left Cyprus defenseless in terms of energy.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
A short while later, DISY responded, questioning “to what extent AKEL is qualified to lecture on energy and the economy,” and calling on it to provide a clear answer “whether or not it supports the implementation of the GSI power interconnection?”
DISY’s response to AKEL
“We question whether AKEL is in a position to lecture on energy and the economy.
In the energy sector, during their time in government, they blew up Cyprus’s largest power plant, with enormous consequences for the country, and subsequently brought the entire economy to its knees.
However, in essence, the question today remains and demands a clear answer:
Does he support the implementation of the GSI power interconnection—or not?
Or, ultimately, is he opposed to the establishment of strong strategic alliances between Cyprus and Israel and Western countries? »
AKEL’s Position: DISY Has No Right to Speak on Energy
“If anyone is not qualified to lecture on energy, it is DISY. During its ten years in power, it left Cyprus vulnerable in terms of energy, with exorbitantly expensive electricity, market distortions, failures, and scandals that have cost taxpayers hundreds of millions of euros.
Obviously, DISY wants to shirk its responsibilities, which is why it has suddenly decided to accuse AKEL of alleged contradictions regarding the electricity interconnection. It seems they’ve forgotten the ridiculous celebrations at the Presidential Palace with the cable and the outlets.
These accusations fall on deaf ears. AKEL has consistently recognized the strategic importance of ending Cyprus’s energy isolation. However, it demands answers regarding the actual cost, the risks, and the benefits for the economy and consumers.
The strategic importance of a project does not constitute a blank check. If DISY considers transparency, documentation, and the protection of the public interest to be a “contradiction,” then it has failed to grasp either the significance of the project or the weight of its own responsibilities.”
DISY’s First Statement: The Government and AKEL Must Recognize the Strategic Importance of the GSI Project
“The entry of the French investment giant Meridiam into the Great Sea Interconnector adds new momentum to a project of broader strategic and geopolitical significance. At the same time, the European Union, the United States, Greece, Israel, and France recognize the project’s importance and potential. Nevertheless, the government and AKEL continue to approach it with contradictions.
For the Democratic Alarm, the GSI is much more than just an energy project. It is a project of strategic importance that strengthens Cyprus’s geopolitical position, its strategic alliances, the country’s energy self-sufficiency and security, and dynamically integrates it into the energy landscape of the broader region, with enormous national benefit.
The government must put an end to the conflicting positions among its members, formulate a clear and unified stance, and act in full coordination with the Greek government to advance the project.
At the same time, in coordination with Athens and Brussels, it must seek low-interest, long-term financing for the project from the European Investment Bank.
It is time for the government and AKEL to recognize the strategic importance of the GSI for the Republic of Cyprus.”
