The Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection project, the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), is very close to reaching the launch stage, President Nikos Christodoulides said on Wednesday, describing the entry of a French investment company into the project as “decisive”.
Speaking on the sidelines of his visit to the Nicosia-based Enosis Neon “Trast” association, and asked to comment on statements by the right-wing Democratic Rally (DISY) part and left-wing AKEL party regarding the financial aspect of the GSI, President Christodoulides said that, for the first time since 2012, when discussions on the project began, there have been substantial developments towards its implementation.
He described the entry of the French investment company as “decisive” both for the economic and geopolitical aspects of the project, noting that developments are proceeding on the basis of the understanding and full agreement reached with the Greek Prime Minister.
He said the issue of the GSI was discussed on Tuesday in Cairo, on the sidelines of the Cyprus-Greece-Egypt Trilateral Summit, while a meeting was held on Wednesday at his diplomatic office with the French Embassy exclusively on the issue.
At the same time, he said Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, is in France on Wednesday and will meet French President, Emmanuel Macron, to discuss this issue.
The President also referred to the understanding reached around mid-August with the French President and the Greek Prime Minister, noting that a new situation has since emerged regarding the promotion of the project.
“Following the understanding reached around August 15 with the French President and the Greek Prime Minister, for the first time since 2012, when this idea was launched, we are very close to the stage of starting, so that results can be achieved,” he said.
