Brussels: “It is our strategic priority, and it is important for this project to see the light of day as soon as possible,” said Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, spokesperson for the European Commission on Thursday. When asked about Wednesday’s meeting between Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen and the energy ministers of Greece and Cyprus, the Commission’s spokesperson for energy issues said that energy initiatives such as the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) were discussed.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the spokesperson stated that the GSI is a project strongly supported by the European Commission, categorized as a project of common interest receiving funding through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF). This initiative aims to connect Cyprus with continental Europe, ending the island’s energy isolation and reducing energy prices for citizens. The Commission is committed to advancing the GSI project and looks forward to continued cooperation with Greece and Cyprus.
The spokesperson declined to provide a specific timel
ine for the project, emphasizing that the implementation responsibility lies with the project promoters. It would not be appropriate to announce timelines from the European Commission’s press room. She mentioned that Wednesday’s meeting followed a teleconference held in October, indicating ongoing contact between the Commissioner and the ministers of Greece and Cyprus.
Reaffirming the importance of the GSI project, the spokesperson noted its significance for the European Commission, as well as for the citizens of Cyprus and Greece. While other energy project announcements related to interconnectivity are expected before Christmas, these will not concern the GSI project. The spokesperson highlighted that the European Commission acts within its competencies and capabilities at the political and technical levels, but the on-the-ground implementation is the project promoters’ responsibility.
When asked about potential engagement with the Turkish side to explain the GSI project’s importance for the EU, Itkonen s
tated there is currently no information on possible contacts between Commissioner Jørgensen and his Turkish counterparts, though she did not rule out such interactions. The Commission has clarified its position on the project’s significance, leaving open the possibility of future contacts.