Athens on Wednesday urged the Greek Cypriot Administration to clarify its position on an electricity interconnection project between Greece, the island-based administration, and Israel, facilitating the transfer of electricity across the three.
Arguing that the Great Sea Interconnector project would end the administration’s energy isolation, Greek Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou added that statements questioning the viability of the project send an ambiguous message.
Citing remarks by Makis Keranos, the administration’s finance minister, saying the project is not currently viable, Papastavrou said that they have not seen the reports on which this argument is based.
Also commenting on the issue, Greek Deputy Premier Kostis Hatzidakis said: “It concerns electricity interconnections at a European level and is therefore a project of European priority.”
Greece has committed itself, but the Greek Cypriot Administration should clarify its position, he added.
Earlier, in an interview with Greek daily Kathimerini, Keravnos said two independent studies on the project both found it “not viable” as it stands.
Underlining the complexity of the cable, he maintained that the project involves not just money and engineering but also politics.
By Ahmet Gencturk in Athens
Anadolu Agency
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