Ankara warns over the GSI project: it will not allow the cable to be laid without its permission, accuses Athens and Nicosia of “provocative actions”

The Turkish Defence Ministry has issued a new statement warning that it will not allow the laying of the electric cable of the Greece–Cyprus interconnector (GSI — Great Sea Interconnector) without Turkey’s permission, as eKathimerini reports through its correspondent Manolis Kostidis on October 1, 2026.

According to eKathimerini’s reporting, Ankara claims it concerns “research activity that will take place on our continental shelf” and stresses that “under international law, any cable/pipeline installation or scientific research activity on our continental shelf must be coordinated in advance with our country, as a coastal state”. The statement adds that Turkey “will not allow any unauthorised activity on our continental shelf”.

In the same statement, as eKathimerini reports, the Turkish Defence Ministry accused Greece and Cyprus of “provocative actions” over Thursday’s military parade in the Republic of Cyprus for the 66th anniversary of independence. The parade “was followed closely”, according to the statement, while such actions “do not contribute to building mutual trust on the island”, but “increase tensions and damage the environment of stability”.

Cyprus remains divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded the island after the Greek-backed coup, as eKathimerini recalls. Only Turkey recognises the declaration of independence in the northern third, where Ankara keeps over 35,000 troops.

The new statement is expected to further raise tensions over the Greece–Cyprus electricity interconnector project, one of the most sensitive projects in the Eastern Mediterranean, while Athens and Nicosia have not yet reacted publicly to Ankara’s claims.