France Takes Bigger Stake in Greece-Cyprus-Israel Power Cable as Turkey Objects

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France is taking a larger role in the Great Sea Interconnector, strengthening Greece’s position as Athens prepares for renewed seabed surveys for the electricity cable linking Greece, Cyprus and Israel.

The growing French involvement could also give Paris a more direct role in managing Turkey’s objections to the project, including potentially confronting Ankara if tensions escalate.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis discussed the project during their meeting in Paris on September 9, on the sidelines of the International Space Summit.

According to Greek officials, Macron committed to ensuring that the research vessel carrying out seabed surveys on behalf of French cable manufacturer Nexans will sail under the French flag.

The move is significant because France would also undertake to notify Turkey and other coastal states about the planned seabed surveys and subsequent cable-laying operations.

The Great Sea Interconnector faces a major geopolitical obstacle in the Eastern Mediterranean, with Turkey disputing the authority to license activities in waters between the Greek islands and Cyprus.

Ankara maintains that Greek islands should not automatically generate continental shelf or exclusive economic zone rights.

Greece strongly rejects that position and maintains that its islands have full rights under international law.

Source: Wikipedia