The European Commission Urged Turkey to Commit to Good Neighbourly Relations

Neither Greece nor Cyprus has confirmed or denied reports that they plan to issue a navtex to inform ships between Cyprus and Crete of upcoming seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector. The reports, first published by Greek news site euro2day.gr and reproduced by Stockwatch, could not be verified by the Cyprus Mail, which contacted seven ministries across both countries. The reports emerged a day after French asset manager Meridiam took a majority stake in the project from Greece's Admie, a move former Cypriot energy minister George Papanastasiou called "very good news.

However, the surveys could spark geopolitical tensions, as Turkey claims the waters under its "Blue Homeland" doctrine. Similar disputes in 2024 led to Turkish naval vessels escorting the Italian research ship Ievoli Reulme away, prompting Greece to dispatch frigates Nikiforos Fokas and Aittitos. The European Commission urged Turkey to commit to good neighbourly relations. The dispute hinges on whether islands generate their own exclusive economic zones; Greece and Cyprus, citing Unclos, say yes, while Turkey, not a signatory, says no. Finance Minister Makis Keravnos said Turkey's intervention has been "perhaps the most serious reason for the project's lack of progress.