President Nikos Christodoulides on Sunday strongly rejected claims that the Cypriot Government is being pressured by Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) over the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection project.
His remarks follow a report in Phileleftheros alleging that ADMIE formally objected to a regulatory decision limiting Cyprus’s financial contribution and is preparing for a possible legal challenge.
“The Cypriot Government is not subject to blackmail by any head of ADMIE,” Christodoulides said. The article, citing unnamed sources, claimed that ADMIE had submitted a formal objection to the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERA) regarding its decision that Cyprus would contribute only €25 million annually until 2029 towards the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection project. The report also mentioned that ADMIE was preparing for potential legal action.
ADMIE chief 'does not know who he's dealing with'
“If the head of ADMIE thinks that such letters or paid publications can intimidate the Cypriot government, then clearly he does not know who he is dealing with,” the President said, emphasising that the government “is here solely to serve the interests of the Cypriot people.”
Asked by a journalist to comment on the article upon his arrival at the inauguration ceremony of the Hatzigiannio Health Centre in Akaki, the President said he had first learned of the issue from the front page of the newspaper.
“I must point out that there is a full understanding and a framework agreement between the Greek and Cypriot governments on this project. In fact, during a recent meeting in New York, the Greek Prime Minister and I agreed on the specific steps forward, and a relevant joint statement was issued,” he noted.
Repeating his earlier point, Christodoulides stated: “If the head of ADMIE believes he can blackmail the Cypriot Government with such letters or paid placements, then he clearly does not know who he is dealing with. The Cypriot Government will not be blackmailed by any head of ADMIE. It is here to defend only the interests of the Cypriot people. That is the clear message to the head of ADMIE.”
Responding to a journalist’s remark that the main shareholder of ADMIE is the Greek government, Christodoulides clarified that it is not the Greek government which decides on the letters ADMIE sends. He reiterated that there is a clear framework in place with Athens, outlining the responsibilities of each side, and pointed again to the recent joint statement issued following his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister in New York.