United States and Europe signal support for Great Sea Interconnector project

On October 8 and 9, 2026, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis emphasized the strategic importance of the Great Sea Interconnector, a proposed subsea electricity cable linking the power grids of Cyprus, Greece, and Israel. Rubio announced that the U.S. will engage in diplomatic efforts to overcome existing obstacles and ensure the project's progress, citing the need for global energy diversification amidst geopolitical instability in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis described the initiative as a "European project" backed by over €600 million in European subsidies. He noted the increased international involvement, specifically mentioning the role of French investment firm Meridiam as the project's majority shareholder. Mitsotakis reaffirmed that Washington's interest is driven by the project's potential to eventually connect to Israel, aligning with broader U.S. regional security and energy priorities. While officials acknowledged that some challenges remain, they emphasized the political and economic necessity of completing the infrastructure. The project remains subject to ongoing diplomatic negotiations to resolve pending implementation issues.