France to support Great Sea Interconnector surveys in Eastern Mediterranean

During a meeting in Paris last Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron informed Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis of France's readiness to initiate bathymetric surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection project. The surveys will be conducted using a vessel flying the French flag, a decision intended to provide a diplomatic safeguard, as Paris would directly manage any potential tensions or procedural negotiations with Turkey regarding the project's operation.

This involvement is strategically linked to the French investment firm Meridiam, which serves as the majority shareholder in the consortium developing the project. While no precise start date has been fixed, official sources cited by Kathimerini suggest the operations are expected to commence between late September and early November 2026. The French government is reportedly considering issuing an official announcement to inform all coastal states in the region about the upcoming maritime activities.

This initiative marks a significant step in securing the long-planned Great Sea Interconnector, which aims to link the power grids of Greece and Cyprus. By utilizing a French-flagged vessel, the project stakeholders seek to leverage France's geopolitical weight to mitigate the risk of interference in the Eastern Mediterranean, where maritime boundary disputes remain a point of friction.