The European Commission, through a spokesperson's response to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), has expressed its expectation for all parties to commit to the rapid implementation of the Cyprus-Greece Great Sea Interconnector (GSI), following recent developments and statements from Nicosia and Athens. The Commission emphasised that any additional delay harms all sides involved.
In its response to CNA, the Commission notes that "we expect all Parties to commit to an as rapid implementation of the project as possible. Ultimately, any further delay is to the detriment of the parties involved."
The Commission reiterated that the project remains a "priority of the highest strategic importance for the EU", while stressing that on their behalf they "keep doing everything in our power to ensure that this project is implemented."
As highlighted by its spokesperson, "this project is key in bringing an end to Cyprus’s energy isolation", while "boosting electricity interconnections helps bring down energy prices by allowing the integration of more renewables in the system."
The Commission confirmed that it remains "in constant contact with the promoter, regulators, and national authorities and offers our assistance", but said that "the responsibility is on all actors to honour their commitment."
Referring to recent announcements by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in her State of the Union address before the European Parliament regarding the "Energy Highways" initiative, the Commission recalled that the electrical interconnection of Cyprus with continental Europe is a key element of the EU’s strategy to "enhance interconnectivity in the EU and end the island’s electricity isolation." The spokesperson concluded by stating that this ultimately "highlights the importance of better and improved interconnectivity in the EU."
(Source: CNA)
