Greece reaffirms commitment to Great Sea Interconnector project amid regional tensions

Greek Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has formally confirmed that the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, a strategic electrical link between Greece and Cyprus, is proceeding as scheduled. Speaking at the Slemani Strategic Forum in the Kurdistan region of Iraq on November 13, 2026, Gerapetritis issued a stern warning to Ankara, stating that Greece will not tolerate any interference with the underwater cabling operations. The Greek government has officially granted the necessary permits for the research vessel to conduct surveys and proceed with cable laying, designating the project as a critical piece of European infrastructure.

Prior to his statements abroad, Gerapetritis convened an urgent briefing with Greek political party leaders to establish a unified national front regarding the initiative. The project has faced past challenges due to Turkish activities in the Mediterranean, where overlapping maritime claims complicate regional energy developments. Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to raise the issue on the European stage, emphasizing that the project's completion remains a top priority for Greece. Gerapetritis highlighted that the country is successfully positioning itself as a central energy hub in the Eastern Mediterranean through its cooperation with international partners and the development of regional connectivity corridors.