Turkey issues conditions for Greece-Cyprus electrical interconnection

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan stated on October 21, 2026, that Turkey does not oppose the Great Sea Interconnector project, which aims to link the power grids of Greece and Cyprus. Speaking at the European Policy Centre in Brussels, Fidan emphasized that Turkey's stance is contingent upon receiving formal written notifications regarding any maritime surveys, including precise coordinates, to prevent the disruption of the status quo in the region.

Fidan noted that this issue has been discussed with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and French President Emmanuel Macron. While acknowledging the project as notable, Fidan argued that it would be more efficient for Cyprus to purchase electricity, natural gas, and water directly from Turkey, located only 70 miles away, rather than investing over 2 billion euros in a 2,000-kilometer interconnection project. He asserted that such a regional cooperation model would benefit both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots.

Following his speech, Fidan was scheduled to meet with the EU High Representative Kaja Kallas in Brussels to further discuss diplomatic relations. While he clarified that Turkey is not objecting to the cable project itself, he stressed the need for strict adherence to communication protocols during maritime operations to avoid future tensions or the creation of unwanted precedents.