New move for the $2 billion power line deep in the Mediterranean

A critical permit process has begun for the giant power line project, which is planned to be laid on the floor of the Eastern Mediterranean and aims to connect the European continent first to the Greek Cypriot Administration of Southern Cyprus (GCASC) and then to Israel.

French company Nexans, the cable contractor of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, which is supported by the European Union and whose progress has slowed down due to Türkiye's objections, has applied for a license from the Greek authorities to restart seabed exploration.

According to the Reuters agency, Greek Government Spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, who made a statement to the press in Athens, announced that the application, which is decisive for the implementation of the project, was submitted on behalf of GSI.

The line worth 1.9 billion euros ($2.13 billion), developed by Greece's electricity transmission network operator IPTO, has long been a matter of dispute between Ankara and Athens due to the planned route intersecting with maritime jurisdictions.

Stating that the seabed dredging activities will be carried out with a French ship, Marinakis noted that the work will begin after the permission of the inter-ministerial committee that approves research in Greek maritime jurisdictions and the Greek Coast Guard.

Referring to the contacts regarding the implementation of the project, Marinakis said, "Regarding the implementation of the project, Greece has not made any arrangements with the authorities of any state other than France and Greek Cypriot Administration, which are its natural interlocutors."

While Greece aims to restart seabed research in a short time in order to finalize the cable route, Turkey emphasizes that the line passes through the area covered by the maritime jurisdiction agreement signed with Libya in 2019.

Ankara states that in accordance with the agreement, which Athens does not recognize the validity of, prior coordination must be established between the two countries for the activities to be carried out in these waters.