Athens and Nicosia Reaffirm Power Link Project, Reject TRNC-Turkey Connection

According to Politis, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Republic of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulidis held a phone call to discuss the status of the Greece–Cyprus Interconnector (GSI) project. Despite delays, political sources in both countries emphasized that there is no intention to suspend the project and that it remains a shared strategic priority.

The same sources reportedly stressed that although implementation has not proceeded as planned, there is firm political will in both Athens and Nicosia to keep the project alive. The initiative had previously stalled due to political and financial hurdles and Turkey’s aspirations to assert influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In the conversation between Christodoulidis and Mitsotakis, the two leaders reaffirmed the project’s importance and agreed on the necessity of advancing it for strategic and energy security reasons.

Speaking to Cyprus News Agency (CNA), Greek diplomatic sources reiterated that the Greece–Cyprus energy link will be realized, while arguing that any electricity interconnection between the TRNC and Turkey is not feasible.

The reports also referenced the unresolved financial aspects of the project. The Republic of Cyprus committed in 2024 to contribute €125 million over five years (€25 million annually from 2025 to 2029). However, concerns were raised after the Cypriot Finance Ministry reportedly expressed hesitation about releasing funds for a project showing limited progress.

Despite this, Nexans—the company responsible for laying the undersea cable—has continued its operations and is being compensated accordingly.

Cypriot Energy Minister Giorgos Papanastasiou dismissed reports of a rift between the Energy and Finance Ministries, stating on a radio program that the Finance Ministry simply posed reasonable questions requiring clarification. He attributed media speculation to the creation of an “atmosphere of uncertainty.”

According to Alithia, Papanastasiou labeled the alleged dispute a fabrication and affirmed that the Republic is fully committed to fulfilling its obligations under the agreement with the Greek Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE). Both ministries, he said, are well aware of their responsibilities.