French Entry Opens Cable Path in Mediterranean Sea
Greece has transferred control of its electricity interconnector project with Cyprus to French firm Meridiam, hoping France will help counter Turkish interference that halted surveys in international waters.
According to Vassilis Nedos writing in Kathimerini (EN), the agreement with French investment group Meridiam for a majority stake in the Great Sea Interconnector was signed Wednesday at the prime minister’s office, marking a strategic pivot for the embattled infrastructure project.
The deal reflects Athens’ calculation that bringing in the French group will help overcome what Greek officials identify as the primary roadblock: Turkish obstruction. Work on the interconnection came to a halt after Turkey intervened in international waters south of Kasos, where surveys related to the project were underway. Despite multiple attempts, those surveys have not resumed. The target now is to restart research activities in September.
While internal Cypriot disagreements factored into delays, the core problem was geopolitical, officials acknowledged. Greek authorities had initially followed what they characterized as standard procedure, concluding that Turkey would not object to surveys in the Eastern Mediterranean since such activities establish no legal precedent and do not affect Ankara’s continental shelf claims. That calculation proved wrong when Turkey dispatched vessels to block the work.
Mitsotakis Hails Strategic Partnership
The government placed enough weight on Meridiam’s participation to hold the signing ceremony at the Maximos Mansion, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in attendance.
The entry of France’s Meridiam is a strong vote of confidence in Greece’s energy sector, Mitsotakis stated. He emphasized that the Great Sea Interconnector represents a European project of common interest that will terminate Cyprus’ energy isolation while bolstering energy security across the Eastern Mediterranean and enhancing Europe’s overall energy resilience.
ADMIE Retains Technical Control
Government officials said Meridiam’s involvement strengthens both the conditions and credibility required to push implementation forward. The Greek operator ADMIE maintains its position as a strategic shareholder, keeps technical leadership of the project, and will operate the interconnection after completion. Meridiam’s majority stake is expected to strengthen financing capacity, bring additional expertise, and support timely delivery.
Officials also pointed to a separate agreement among ADMIE, GSI, and Nexans designed to expedite work, with priority assigned to finishing seabed surveys—the very activity Turkey blocked in international waters.
The arrangement effectively outsources the diplomatic and financial risk of confronting Turkish interference to Paris, with Athens betting that French backing will provide the political and economic leverage needed to complete a project that has become a test case for energy security in the Eastern Mediterranean.
With information from Kathimerini (EN)
