FM Expresses Certainty Over Greece-Cyprus Power Cable

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis appeared confident that an ambitious project to lay an undersea power cable between Cyprus with Crete will continue, even in maritime regions where Turkey claims rights via what Athens, among others, considers an illegitimate memorandum on maritime zones signed with a provisional Libyan government (GNA).

In an interview with the daily “Kathimerini”, Gerapetritis said the project to connect the two large east Mediterranean islands – and eventually mainland Greece and the rest of Europe – will continue as planned by the company that holds the concession for research and the cable laying.

“I believe and hope that Turkey will not object, that we’ll have an understanding to allow this project to proceed…In case there is tension we will try to defuse it,” he said.

The Greek minister said research and the laying of surface cables is protected under international law and requires no license. He emphasized that there is absolutely no claim, under international law, for the licensing of such a project — officially called the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI).

Asked if official Turkey is kept informed over the project, he said such briefings are conducted for reasons of security and marine navigation. In such cases, he said NAVTEX notifications are issued, to inform all passing vessels.

“It’s appropriate for there to be information, so everyone knows this is a research effort, which is protected under international law, as well as to the nature of the research. The issue of providing information is based on international law and the rules of navigation — and that’s what we always do,” he said.

Source: Tovima.com