Leaders of Cyprus, Greece, and France coordinate next steps for electricity interconnector

Following the August 5, 2026, signing ceremony at the Maximos Mansion, the leaders of Cyprus, Greece, and France—Nikos Christodoulides, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and Emmanuel Macron—have held high-level consultations to accelerate the development of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI). The project, which involves the construction and laying of a cable valued at approximately €1.4 billion, is now moving forward under the new shareholder structure featuring the French firm Meridiam and cable manufacturer Nexans. The leaders have reached a consensus that the next decisive phase requires the immediate resumption of seabed surveys.

Energy Minister Michalis Damianos confirmed that a Navtex will be issued shortly to facilitate the continuation of bathymetric mapping between Cyprus and Crete, as approximately 40 per cent of these surveys remain incomplete. A French vessel will be deployed to conduct the remaining work. The increased involvement of France and the transition of project leadership are intended to bolster security for the operations. While a previous attempt by an Italian vessel to conduct surveys was hindered by Turkey, authorities noted that the project's new status and potential naval support change the operational landscape. Further updates on the project timeline are expected in the coming weeks.