Nicosia: President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, have announced their commitment to update the economic and technical parameters of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection cable project, known as the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI). This decision aims to attract powerful investors, enhancing the project’s potential for growth and impact.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the announcement came after the 3rd Intergovernmental Summit between the two nations. Both leaders emphasized their shared goal of resuming Cyprus talks based on UN resolutions. President Christodoulides expressed gratitude to Greece for being a steadfast ally, while Prime Minister Mitsotakis stated the onus is now on others to demonstrate a genuine desire to restart negotiations.
President Christodoulides highlighted the progress made since the establishment of the Intergovernmental Conference, noting the strategic alignment between Athens and Nicosia has been crucial for stability in the region. He underscored the importance of energy cooperation and interconnectivity, referencing the recent meeting of Energy Ministers in the 3+1 format.
The leaders also discussed utilizing European-level opportunities, such as the Security Action for Europe tool, to strengthen the defense industry and contribute to EU security and strategic autonomy. Four key areas were addressed at the Summit: sustainable water management, civil protection, digital safety for minors, and foreign policy alignment.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis emphasized the project’s enhancement through new investor involvement, stating it benefits all parties involved. He reiterated Greece’s support for Cyprus in its quest for reunification, according to UN guidelines.
The Cyprus issue remains a priority, with both countries committed to ending the occupation and achieving reunification. Cyprus has been divided since 1974, and efforts to resolve the situation have been ongoing, with the latest negotiations ending inconclusively in 2017.
The Greek Prime Minister also acknowledged the strategic importance of the countries in the broader European context and highlighted their active roles in Middle Eastern developments. The two nations continue to engage in efforts to bring the Cyprus issue back onto the UN agenda, seeking a resolution within the framework of EU-Turkish relations.
The leaders concluded by reaffirming their dedication to peaceful cooperation and stability in the region, setting a path for further collaboration and mutual growth.