Turkey is demanding advance written notification from France before work resumes on the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, with Turkish media claiming that part of the planned cable route crosses what Ankara considers Turkish continental shelf.
CNN Türk reported that Turkey is not formally opposing the Great Sea Interconnector project but insists that there should be coordination before work begins.
The Turkish network said Ankara considers part of the planned route to fall within what it describes as its continental shelf and has already submitted a corresponding map to the United Nations.
Ankara wants France to notify Turkey
According to CNN Türk, France has now become central to Ankara’s demand because French infrastructure investment group Meridiam holds a majority stake in the Great Sea Interconnector.
Meridiam acquired a 66% stake in GSI in August, while agreements were also signed with the Independent Power Transmission Operator and French cable manufacturer Nexans to restart seabed surveys.
Turkish media argue that, because the project now has significant French involvement and the survey vessel is expected to operate under the French flag, Paris should provide Ankara with written information before the work begins.
CNN Türk reportedly placed the start of the next phase of work in November and described the proposed notification as a way of avoiding renewed tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean.
The reported Turkish position is consistent with Ankara’s broader demand for consultation over the project, although previous discussions between Greece, France and Cyprus have focused on notification rather than seeking Turkish permission.
Greece rejects Turkish claims
Athens has rejected the suggestion that Turkey has the right to approve or block the project.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said the cable route passes through maritime areas where boundaries have not been delimited. He has argued that, under Greece’s interpretation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the relevant areas fall within the Greek continental shelf.
Gerapetritis has also ruled out changing the cable’s route because of Turkish claims.
The issue is particularly sensitive because previous seabed surveys for the project were disrupted in 2024 after Turkish naval vessels challenged the Italian-flagged survey ship Ievoli Relume in waters Turkey claimed as part of its continental shelf.
France takes a larger role
The French role in the project has expanded significantly since Meridiam became the majority shareholder of GSI.
The Greek government has described the interconnector as a project of strategic importance for Greece, Cyprus and Europe, with the cable intended to help end Cyprus’ energy isolation and connect the island to the European electricity system.
Recent discussions between Athens and Paris have focused on a mechanism under which Turkey and other coastal states would be notified about upcoming survey work without being asked to grant permission.
A recent report by Kathimerini said France could issue a formal communiqué identifying the areas and duration of the work, while treating Turkey as a state to be notified rather than a state whose approval is required.
The next phase of seabed surveys is therefore set to test whether that approach will be accepted by Ankara without a new confrontation at sea.
Turkish media also raise military scenario
Separately, Turkish newspaper Milliyet has published an opinion piece by its director Ozay Sendir examining a hypothetical Greek-Turkish military crisis.
Sendir discusses a scenario reported in the Greek media involving electronic warfare, air operations and attacks on military infrastructure, followed by an attempt to secure Western diplomatic support.
He questions whether the United States and European Union would intervene in the manner assumed by the scenario and also refers to the military relationship between Greece and Israel.
The analysis is commentary in the Turkish media rather than an announcement of an actual Greek military plan.
The developments come as Greece, Cyprus, France and Turkey remain focused on the next stage of the Great Sea Interconnector, with the resumption of seabed surveys expected to be a significant test of competing maritime claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.
