President Nikos Christodoulides rushed Monday morning to defend his government’s position over the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project that will supposedly end Cyprus’ energy isolation and connect Greece to Cyprus via an underwater electricity cable.
Following a direct call by Greek Prime Minister Kyriacos Mitsotakis for Cyprus to pay up a pending €25 million installment and show in practice that it wants to proceed with the project, Christodoulides clarified that the Republic of Cyprus will honour its commitments, expressing hope that all parties involved will also implement their commitments.
“First, I want to repeat once again, for it to be heard in Cyprus, Greece, Brussels, and wherever there is interest: The Republic of Cyprus is fully committed to this project of geostrategic importance,” said Christodoulides.
Wishing to prove his point, he pointed to his visit, along with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, to the United Arab Emirates, “precisely to discuss this issue and to examine the possibility, through a joint company, a partnership between the two countries, of investing in other sectors related to this project.”
‘Others need to meet their commitments’
Christodoulides suggested that the problem lay elsewhere regarding unmet pledges. He highlighted that Cyprus and Greece have undertaken certain commitments on this project. “I can speak for the Republic of Cyprus, and state publicly that the Republic of Cyprus will fulfill the commitments it has undertaken. I hope that all those involved in this project will also honour their commitments.”
He added that he did not wish to be drawn into a public debate on an issue that touches upon national sovereignty.
“What matters is to say less and do much more. As far as I am concerned, I will not, through public statements, put at risk or call into question the national interests of the Republic of Cyprus”, he said.
Greek PM tells Cyprus to pay up
Christodoulides’ response came after the Greek PM called on the Cypriot government to meet its obligations regarding the Greece–Cyprus electricity interconnection and to demonstrate in practice that it supports the project. According to Mitsotakis, the payment of €25 million to Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) is a condition for moving forward with the next stages of the GSI project in 2025.
Last week, Christodoulides had shifted responsibility toward ADMIE, citing obligations that the operator must meet before Cyprus fulfills its own commitments. But Mitsotakis, picking up the issue, has now thrown the ball back to Nicosia, insisting the Cypriot government deliver on its share of the deal and back the project with tangible actions.
On concerns about geopolitical risks and Turkey’s objections, Mitsotakis echoed Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, stressing that works must proceed regardless of Ankara’s rhetoric. His remarks intensify pressure on the Christodoulides government, which is being urged to clarify its position. Nicosia’s attempt to place the burden solely on ADMIE is no longer sustainable.
Mitsotakis’ intervention confirms reporting by Politis last Friday, which revealed that Athens expects ADMIE to complete the necessary permits from Cyprus’ Energy Regulatory Authority (RAEK) and for the Republic of Cyprus to honor its financial commitments before seabed surveys can proceed. This approach directly contrasts with the Cypriot government’s stance, which insists that ADMIE must first complete the surveys before Cyprus pays its €25 million share.
The bigger picture
Speaking at a press conference at the 89th Thessaloniki International Fair (TIF), Mitsotakis was asked whether he was aware of Nicosia’s intentions, whether he was caught by surprise, and whether he had knowledge of a prosecutor’s probe into the project. He delivered a clear message: Cyprus must prove in practice that it wants the project.
“This is a project that will benefit Cyprus greatly, as it remains energy-isolated. For it to happen, Cyprus must also demonstrate in practice that it wants it. Our intention is for the project to start and be completed, and I will do everything in my power to ensure we are in full alignment with the Cypriot government,” Mitsotakis said.
“There are certain issues involving regulatory payments that need to be settled, issues that will confirm Cyprus means what it says. I expect we will very soon have clear visibility from Cyprus that it truly wants this project and will cover the required costs so that procedures can move ahead and we can progress to the next stages,” he added.
“I want to highlight that for Greece, the Cyprus electricity interconnection is not the only priority project. We completed the interconnection with Crete, we are advancing the Dodecanese links, and we have the major Greece–Egypt interconnection ahead of us,” he noted.
His mention of the Dodecanese was telling, as Turkey has also raised objections over these connections, as well as over links to islands in the eastern Aegean. This underscores that Athens faces a broader challenge with Ankara.
“I seek calm waters, but from a position of strength and self-confidence, without ever making concessions on national interests, sovereignty, and sovereign rights,” Mitsotakis added when asked about Greco-Turkish relations. “And I believe that compared to a year ago, the situation has changed significantly in this field. Greece’s planning does not depend on Turkey’s approval,” he said.
AKEL demands clarifications
Responding to the Greek PM’s remarks, Cyprus’ main opposition party AKEL highlighted the ongoing divergence of views between Athens and Nicosia over the €25 million payment to ADMIE.
AKEL called on the Christodoulides government to clarify the terms and commitments it has undertaken for a total of €125 million, split into five tranches of €25 million, over the next five years.
“It is imperative that the government finally makes its position clear on the electricity interconnection project,” AKEL said. The opposition party added that while it supports, as a matter of principle, ending Cyprus’ energy isolation, it is crucial that any such projects are sustainable and serve the economy and society, rather than burden them.