Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis warned Tuesday that private interests opposing the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project face government resistance, citing concerns over maintaining high energy prices in Cyprus.
Speaking on Parapolitika 90.1 radio in Athens, Gerapetritis stated that when electricity is expensive, certain interests prefer it remains so, adding that energy costs are particularly high in Cyprus.
“Anyone who believes they can undermine the strategic character of this project through attacks will find us against them,” he warned, noting, “extreme positions from private interests are attempting to undermine the electrical interconnection because energy prices in Cyprus are very expensive.”
Gerapetritis cites private interests opposing project due to high energy costs
The minister described the interconnection programme as extremely important primarily for Cyprus to end its electrical isolation. Greece has provided support and desires project continuation, he stated.
The project will advance in cooperation with companies conducting planning during 2025, Gerapetritis confirmed. The electrical interconnection aims to connect Cyprus to the European grid via Greece, potentially reducing energy costs on the island.
Maritime zones remain sole Greece-Turkey dispute, minister states
Regarding the Mitsotakis-Erdogan meeting during the UN General Assembly, Gerapetritis emphasised the primary objective is maintaining dialogue to prevent crises whilst ensuring no concessions on national positions.
“We will not retreat from exercising our sovereign rights,” he stated, underlining that “our only difference with Turkey is the issue of delimiting our maritime zones.”
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