Finance Minister Makis Keravnos on Monday reiterated that his stance on the Greece Cyprus electricity interconnection reflects the official position of the Government, referring reporters back to the statements made a day earlier by President Nikos Christodoulides.
On Sunday, the President said the Government supports the strategic objective of an electricity link between Cyprus and Greece. Responding to comments from DIKO leader Nikolas Papadopoulos, who accused the Government of speaking with “two voices” on the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), Keravnos stressed that his position is fully aligned with that of the President.
“The Government’s position is the one outlined by the President of the Republic, and previously by the Greek Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister. There is a need to update certain economic and technical parameters. Within this framework the Government will proceed with any processes and actions,” he said following a meeting with the Governor of the Central Bank of Cyprus.
Commission stance and funding question
Asked about the European Commission’s view that no new study is required for the project, Keravnos declined to comment on the position of any external actor. “I comment on the Government’s positions. These are the positions set out yesterday by the President, and earlier together with the Prime Minister and the Foreign Minister of Greece,” he said.
On whether the Government intends to proceed with the €25 million contribution, Keravnos replied that the amount is included in the state budget. “When the conditions are met, the funds are available,” he added.
Viability concerns and call for updated studies
Keravnos rejected the suggestion that he personally considers the project non viable. “It is not me who deems the project non viable. For every project, studies are carried out. The understanding now is that an update is required. A long period has passed since the Energy Commission approved the funding, roughly a decade. Geopolitical developments are continuous and conditions change. This is why Greece and Cyprus have an official position that updated assessments are needed,” he said.
Source: CNA