Apostolos Tomaras
Nicosia is preparing for a crucial meeting next week to address the ongoing issues surrounding the electrical interconnection of Cyprus with the European electricity networks through Greece. This meeting, called a last-ditch effort by the government, aims to resolve concerns related to the construction of the power cable to Crete. The decision to convene this high-level discussion involved the Energy Ministers of Cyprus and Greece, as well as Deputy Minister to the President, Irene Piki, according to reports.
The key objective of the meeting is to resolve outstanding warnings from ADMIE about potential impacts on the project's implementation. These warnings were directed at NEXANS, the French company manufacturing the cable, whose representative will also attend the meeting in Nicosia on Tuesday.
Agenda of the Meeting
The meeting, initiated by Cyprus, will include Cyprus's Ministers of Energy, Trade and Industry, Finance, and the Deputy Minister, alongside Greece's Minister of Energy. Representatives from the European Commission, ADMIE, NEXANS, and Cyprus’s Legal Service will also be present. The Cypriot delegation will seek clarifications on political, economic, and geopolitical concerns. An important aspect of the meeting will be addressing issues raised by NEXANS, which has reportedly issued demands to ADMIE for responses from Cyprus. The Cypriot side will request detailed updates from NEXANS on the project's status and any potential issues with the cable contract. Sources in Nicosia emphasize the need for clear communication on this significant project, which impacts consumers. The government appears to be proceeding cautiously, especially in light of recent developments in the Vasilikos energy project.
Developments in Athens
The announcement of the meeting has caused significant concern at ADMIE in Athens. Sources indicate that some ADMIE executives were not aware of recent developments. ADMIE’s Managing Director, Manousos Manousakis, will represent the agency at the meeting. In Nicosia, government sources report that there is high-level communication with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who is aware of Cypriot concerns.
Political Tensions
Recent tensions have been heightened by a letter from the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, to the President of the Republic regarding the electricity interconnection. The letter’s content has caused internal discord within the DISY party, with a parliamentary group meeting held to seek explanations. The letter, drafted by Kyriakos Hatzigiannis, Chairman of the Energy Committee, and presented as a unified stance, faced contradictions and involvement from former DISY president Averof Neofytou. Both Hatzigiannis and Neofytou were absent from the meeting.
In response, the Party's Parliamentary Group reaffirmed its support for the Cyprus-Greece Electric Interconnection project. DISY calls on the government to make timely decisions to advance the project, ensuring transparency and collaboration with Greece to safeguard public interest and leverage the project's strategic importance.
[This article was translated from its Greek original]
