The Republic of Cyprus needs to remain focused on the implementation of the Cyprus-Greece electric interconnection, Energy Mininster George Papanastasiou, said on Monday.
Speaking before attending the annual General Meeting of the Paphos Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Minister noted that any statements on the subject other than the ones from the European Commission are unnecessary. He also mentioned that the next trilateral Cyprus-Greece meeting with Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, on the subject, is set for November 12.
Papanastasiou underlined that GSI is a European project and spoke of its importance, both for the Republic of Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean. He added that the European Commission has decided that the project is feasible and "this means that it is viable according to their terms."
EU Commission's 'blessing'
He said that there are indeed challenges due to the geopolitical situation in the region, as well as financial and technical challenges, but he noted that, the fact that the Commission has assigned the project to an implementation body, shows that the Commission trusts them with the implementation of the project.
Cyprus, as a country with a stake in the project, needs to persist and monitor the Commission's stance, Papanastasiou added. He noted that, following the meeting with the Ministers and the Commissioner on October 16, another meeting followed on October 17 the Greek and Cypriot regulatory authorities and the Greek IPTO to find a common way while tackling regulatory issues. He added that the Commissioner asked for a trilateral face-to face meeting in Brussels on November 12.
"Any statements by anyone other than the Commission are unnecessary and we need to remain focused in a European project that offers potential and opportunity for the Republic of Cyprus to end its energy isolation and provide security of supply," he concluded.
CNA