Diplomatic tensions arise over the Great Sea Interconnector project in the Aegean

On November 6, 2026, Greece officially authorized the commencement of works for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), an electrical cable project connecting Greece and Cyprus, subsequently issuing the required NAVTEX. The Republic of Cyprus followed with its own maritime directives for its Exclusive Economic Zone. Turkey responded by issuing a counter-NAVTEX, reasserting its claims over the seabed in the area, specifically south of Kasos, and alleging that the project requires its consent. While Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan recently described the situation as normal, the conflicting maritime claims continue to fuel diplomatic friction.

Legal analysts and media reports indicate that under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, specifically Article 79, there is no requirement for notification or permission from Turkey for laying electrical cables in these waters. Critics fear that any informal communication—such as reports that France informed Turkish authorities about the survey—could create a dangerous diplomatic precedent, effectively granting Turkey a "co-managerial" role in areas where it lacks recognized sovereign rights. The project remains a focal point for broader tensions regarding the illegal Turkish-Libyan memorandum and the long-standing disputes over maritime boundaries in the Eastern Mediterranean.