Greece is set to restart undersea cable surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector, a strategic electricity project linking Greece, Cyprus, and Israel. Authorities are moving swiftly to resume operations, particularly in the waters east of Kasos and Karpathos, where progress had previously stalled.
Despite internal disagreements over technical aspects, the Greek government has decided at the highest level to push forward, recognizing the project’s critical role in Cyprus’ energy security. The initiative has full backing from Israel and is supported by European Union funding.
Beyond its energy significance, the interconnector carries substantial geopolitical weight. Greece sees the project as a means to challenge Turkey’s restrictive stance on Greek maritime rights, which Ankara limits to six nautical miles. Athens insists that its 2020 maritime agreement with Egypt legally defines its exclusive economic zone (EEZ), rejecting the Turkey-Libya memorandum as invalid.
To safeguard survey operations, the Greek Defense Ministry is coordinating military protection for research vessels, underscoring the government’s commitment to the project. France has also pledged to maintain a discreet naval presence in the area, with joint Greek-French military exercises under discussion. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is visiting Israel for talks with Benjamin Netanyahu. While not officially tied to the interconnector, analysts interpret the visit as a signal to Turkey. Israeli officials have reportedly assured Greece that if tensions escalate, they will urge U.S. intervention.
In a related development, U.S. energy giant Chevron has expressed interest in gas exploration south of Crete, following a similar move by ExxonMobil. The company appears undeterred by Turkish claims to disputed waters, reinforcing Greece’s position that its EEZ is recognized under international law.
