Greek government reaffirms support for Cyprus amid tensions over power cable project

The Greek authorities has reaffirmed its support for Cyprus and emphasized the value of the Greece-Cyprus energy interconnection project, amid rising tensions implicit its viability and cost-sharing.

Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said the task will determination guardant lone if fiscal and technical concerns are resolved and its sustainability is not successful question.

“This is simply a task that will payment Cyprus,” Marinakis said during a briefing with journalists. “The wealth cannot beryllium down lone 1 side.”

Tensions escalated aft Cypriot media reported that Greece’s Independent Power Transmission Operator (ADMIE) filed an objection with Cyprus’s vigor regulator implicit a determination allowing outgo betterment of €25 cardinal successful 2025. The study claimed ADMIE is seeking €251 cardinal for expenses incurred.

The work drew a crisp effect from Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides, who said, “If the caput of ADMIE thinks that the Cypriot authorities is being blackmailed with letters oregon paid registrations, helium evidently does not cognize who helium is dealing with.”

ADMIE aboriginal denied the report’s claims, and a gathering was held astatine the Maximos Mansion under Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with officials from the vigor ministry and ADMIE. 

“The Greek authorities does not blackmail,” Marinakis said. “The champion reply is fixed by the president of Cyprus.”

He added that Greece-Cyprus relations stay strong. “Greece-Cyprus relations were, are and will beryllium strong. They will not beryllium disrupted,” Marinakis said. “We are talking astir a specific task that will proceed provided that the technical and fiscal criteria are met.”

Marinakis besides dismissed speculation of a wider rift. “Those who saw panic unrecorded successful different country,” helium said.

Asked whether an probe by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office involves the Greek side, Marinakis said it does not and that thing has changed.

“Following what the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, stated today, I would similar to express, connected behalf of the Prime Minister and the Greek government, implicit support and recognition with the pursuit of the communal interests of Greece and Cyprus,” Marinakis said.