Athens weighs options for the Cyprus interconnector and extending territorial waters to 12 miles

Greece is examining the options offered by international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as eKathimerini reports, in a period seen as critical for two issues: the Greece–Cyprus energy interconnection project known as the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), and Athens’ right to extend its territorial waters to 12 nautical miles, particularly south and west of Crete. In both cases, Athens is assessing Turkey’s possible reactions.

Assessments of the interconnection project are being made in coordination with France, since French companies Meridiam and Nexans are the project’s majority shareholders. According to well-informed sources cited by eKathimerini, Athens and Paris appear to have concluded that a “light redesign” of the cable route may be needed, to avoid the area of the so-called Fethiye-Kas marine national park, declared by Turkey south of Kastellorizo on August 15. The aim is to prevent Ankara from claiming the authority to impose a full ban on activities in the area.

This move, according to the sources, does not constitute indirect recognition of Turkish authority, but a risk reduction. Discussions between Athens and Paris have included various proposals, on the assumption that Turkey will show at least tolerance. Ankara, for its part, has made clear in the public debate that it does not consider simple notification sufficient and wants to grant permission for the energy interconnection project.

The GSI project also faces skepticism in Cyprus, where it is seen as a geopolitical risk with limited benefits, according to eKathimerini.

On extending territorial waters to 12 miles, sources say Greece does not face the same structural problems: Athens could act south and west of Crete before seabed surveys begin east of Kasos and Karpathos — a step that would let it gauge Turkey’s reaction in an area where, according to the sources, Ankara has no rights and which lies outside the Aegean Sea.

Developments could come before the end of the year, depending on regional and international circumstances, while the presidential decrees on maritime spatial planning and the two marine national parks are expected to move forward after administrative obstacles were resolved, according to eKathimerini.