Source: European Parliament
The Great Sea Interconnector (formally known as ‘EuroAsia Interconnector’) consists of an offshore electricity cable and related infrastructure to interconnect the national grids of Cyprus, Greece and at a later stage Israel, and connect them to the single energy market of the EU.
This project is recognised as a project of common interest (PCI) of the EU in the field of energy, notably under the first EU list of projects of common interest and mutual interest adopted in 2023 in line with the Trans-European Networks for Energy Regulation (EU) 2022/869 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2022 on guidelines for trans-European energy infrastructure[1].
PCIs are closely monitored by the Commission. The Commission is working together with the project promoter and relevant national authorities of the Member States involved to advance this project aiming at improving the interconnection of Cyprus, bringing the potential to lower energy prices for consumers, allowing for a higher share of renewables in its energy mix and increasing the security of energy supply of two Member States and the EU system altogether.
The EU has a strategic interest in a stable and secure environment in the Eastern Mediterranean and in the development of a cooperative and mutually beneficial relationship with Türkiye.
In this context, the EU continues to expect Türkiye to unequivocally commit to and promote good neighbourly relations and the peaceful settlement of disputes, having recourse, if necessary, to the International Court of Justice, and to respect the sovereignty and the sovereign rights of all EU Member States, in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (Unclos).
- [1] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2022/869/oj