A bipartisan group of US members of Congress has urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) Chief Executive Ben Black to prioritise the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), highlighting its importance for strengthening energy security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean.
According to a statement released on Tuesday, the initiative is being led by Representatives Brad Schneider and Gus Bilirakis, who sent a joint letter to the State Department and the DFC calling for US support for the electricity interconnection project linking the power grids of Greece, Cyprus and Israel.
The letter was also signed by Representatives Jake Auchincloss, Dan Goldman, Craig Goldman and Haley Stevens.
Strategic role in IMEC
In their letter, the lawmakers argue that the GSI will play a key role in the development of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
They state that:
"The Eastern Mediterranean will serve as a critical gateway to the IMEC, and the Great Sea Interconnector is a strategic project that is central to the corridor's development."
The legislators say the project would strengthen US partners in the region, diversify energy routes, deepen regional cooperation and provide a transparent alternative to infrastructure dominated by strategic competitors.
Ending Cyprus' energy isolation
The lawmakers note that by linking the electricity systems of Greece, Cyprus and Israel, the GSI would end Cyprus' energy isolation from the European electricity transmission network.
They argue that the project would also:
- Strengthen Israel's energy security.
- Create a platform for reliable, clean and two-way electricity flows between Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean.
- Enhance regional energy resilience.
- Promote greater integration among US partners in the region.
Link to Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act
According to the letter, the project also advances the objectives of the bipartisan Eastern Mediterranean Gateway Act, introduced by Schneider and Bilirakis in May 2025.
The proposed legislation seeks to strengthen the Eastern Mediterranean's role as a strategic link between India, the Middle East and Europe, while expanding US support for cross-border infrastructure, energy interconnections and strategic cooperation with Greece, Cyprus, Israel, Egypt and other regional partners.
Request for briefing
The lawmakers conclude by urging both the State Department and the DFC to treat the GSI as a priority project and request a closed-door briefing on the geopolitical challenges affecting its completion.
Source: CNA
