Turkey has no objection to the Great Sea Interconnector, the subsea electricity cable that will link Greece with Cyprus and Israel, but is seeking "cooperation and coordination" before any work begins on the seabed in areas it considers part of its continental shelf, pro-government Turkish newspaper Hürriyet reported. In an article headlined "Ankara expects coordination / Cable puzzle in Athens," Hürriyet said the key issue for Turkey is that part of the project passes through an area Ankara regards as part of its continental shelf. According to the newspaper, Turkey takes the view that cooperation and coordination with Ankara must precede any work on the seabed, a position Ankara describes as consistent with international law. Hürriyet also recalled that Turkey submitted a map and coordinates to the United Nations in 2020 setting out its continental shelf claims in the region.
Expectations of a French role
Hürriyet reported that, following the transfer of a majority stake in the project to French company Meridiam and the planned use of French-flagged vessels, there is an expectation in Ankara that Paris will take on the relevant coordination with Turkey.
Source: CNA
