Her intense annoyance Athens caused his statements Cypriot Minister of Financewho described her work as unsustainable Crete – Cyprus Electric Interconnection.
THE vice president and ministers her Greek governmentThey have asked with emphasis on the Nicosia to immediately clarify its position. According to Everydaywithin Cypriot government there are two linesone that does not want the project and one who supports and expressed by the Minister of Energy George Papanastasiou.
The president Nikos Christodoulides He also avoided Wednesday to give a clear answer, saying that Cyprus wants the interface, but in order to be viable, it must be the ADME to implement some commitments.
At the same time, at Turkey they seem to be watching the subject with particular interest.
As his correspondent said SKAI In Constantinople, Manolis Kostidisthe lightning statement is satisfying in the neighboring country, as it is estimated that Ankara will not have to take any action if the cable is not proceeding.
Electric interface divides Nicosia
The objections made by Cypriot Minister of Finance Makis For the core of Cyprus’s energy interconnection work with European electricity networks through Greece, they have intensified the climate of uncertainty about the project, which aspires to end the energy isolation of Cyprus.
As the EverydayMr Keravnou’s reports are formalizing the “camps” within the Cypriot government on the need for Cyprus to participate in the implementation of the project. The different angles from which two government ministers evaluate the power cable, in addition to the impact on Athens, Brussels and investment audiences, slowly but steadily causing a headache at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, which to this day postponed to one side or the other. The situation already has an impact outside of Cyprus.
THE Nikos ChristodoulidesAsked if there are differences with the Greek side, it was limited to answering that “there are obligations that ADMIE has undertaken, and in order for the project to be viable, these obligations must be fulfilled”.
At the same time, in Luxembourg, the European Public Prosecutor’s Office A criminal file has been opened by the Crete -Cyprus electric interconnection, a move that, depending on the findings, may cause additional turmoil. At the same time, in Nicosia, the President of the Republic was placed for the negative positions of Maki Lightning on the electric cable.
Negative lightning views on the electric cable have been a common secret in the Cypriot capital since September 2024, when Athens -Nicosia intervened at the political level in order to drop the tones of confrontation between ADME and Cyprus Regulators.
Despite the apparent lullaby that was then achieved by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding, the Cypriot Ministry was not moved by his views that Cyprus cannot participate in a dubious project, according to him, according to him, according to him, according to him, according to him, according to him. financial viability.
Views that came in conflict with those of Cypriot Minister of Energy George Papanastasioua staunch supporter of the electrical interconnection and with a primary role in order for ADMIE to take the reins of the project from the project Euroasia Interconnector of Cypriot businessman Nassos Kathorid.
The position of Christodoulides
What raises reasonable questions from the scene that has been shaped is the attitude of the President of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides. Officially Nicosia’s position on energy project remains unchanged.
The electric cable is a key energy infrastructure for Cyprus, which in addition to resolving its energy, gives the island to the island and geopolitical value to Eastern Mediterranean. “Nicosia’s position is clear, the position of the Republic of Cyprus is single. The project is of strategic importance. Its viability depends on the implementation of commitments made by the implementing body, which is ADMIE and we expect the implementation of these commitments, “Mr Christodoulides said Wednesday, who was not placed on those who publicly reported”Everyday‘ of Cyprus.
To backdrop Nicosia is divergent the views on the real aspirations of the Cypriot side. As long as the thunderbolt was left in the background, the absence of presidential intervention was attributed to reasons maintaining balance within the government -shaped. Then, in the political backdrop, there was a strong reason that the Cypriot side makes second thoughts on its participation in Gsi And how it creates the necessary background of its release.
At this point it should be noted that there was talk of intense pressures of entrepreneurs by RESwho regard the cable as its competitor.
Political games
The jigsaw puzzle in Nicosia fills in political views that the movements within the Cypriot government are nothing more than movementsin order for the Cypriot side to secure a more favorable position in the shape it will implement, but also commercially exploit the electric cable.
This tactic became visible when ADMIE pushed to make regulatory decisions in Cyprus and Greece for both consumers to recover the costs of the project, and for the burden of each side in the event of the failure to implement the project.
If and if the Cypriot Ministry does not proceed immediately with the disbursement of her 1st installment of 25 million euros to ADMIE who have been approved by Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authorityit is assumed that a new crisis will erupt, with a new political intervention visible. In this case, Nikos Christodoulides will be forced to clarify the landscape, which may cause government losses.
In addition to the issues that have arisen at the government camp in Nicosia and ADMIE’s financial issues with the Cypriot side, the electric interconnection enters the uncertainty phase and from research launched by the European Public Prosecutor’s Office for the electric cable. Mr. Christodoulides himself made the announcements after being informed by the Legal Service of the Republic of Cyprus.
The President of the Republic of Cyprus referred to various complaints that have been investigated and decided to open a file for criminal offenses.
According to her information Everydaythe European Public Prosecutor’s Office He had started collecting data from the relevant departments and services in Nicosia and Athens. As sources reported, the investigations then involved in electrical interface from the 2013the year in which the cable was approved as a project of common interest (PCI), with the implementation of the Euroasia Interconnector, to this day where ADMIE was put at the helm of the electric interconnection.
The European Public Prosecutor’s Office turned its attention to the electric cable following complaints made by Cyprus and Greece and concerned claims for the Management of European funds. Complaints come from individuals and concern European resources also drawn by ADMIE. The complaints, in fact, include the claim that some third parties who had nothing to do with the project benefited. These complaints come from Greece.
The point for the EU institution is to make it clear whether the resources raised by European Funds have been channeled exclusively for project contracts.
Athens Message: “The Cypriot Government to clarify its position”
For her side, the Athens sent a clear message to Cyprus to clarify its position whether or not he wants to implement the GSI.
“This cable is integrated into European energy planning. It is not a national plan in Greece. It concerns electricity interconnections at European level and is therefore a European priority project, “the Deputy Prime Minister said. Kostis Hatzidakis.
“There have been discussions between the two governments from time to time. It is a plan by which Cyprus is mainly beneficial. For reasons I think, obvious, Cyprus’s energy isolation is lifted. Beyond that, the Greek government’s commitment is very specific. It has been expressed in many different ways, not only with statements, but also with specific moves by individual ministries and public bodies, but it remains to be clarified what Cyprus wants to do, “he added.
“As for Greece, I repeat, our commitment is a given. The Cypriot government is this, after the statement made by the Cyprus Finance Minister who must clarify its stance, “he concluded.
“No step behind Athens,” they clarify diplomatic sources As for the work of Great Sea Interconnector. In particular, Athens’ intention is to continue the project under planning as well as European support, as the Foreign Ministry spokesman stressed. Lana.
Specifically, Lana Zochu states:
“The electrical interconnection with Cyprus and Israel is a work of geostrategic importance. Has secured European support. In addition to European support, this project is based on international law. The project will proceed with planning. “
“Statements that challenge the viability of the work of electrical interconnection with Cyprus send a ambiguous message,” the Minister of Environment and Energy told ERT. Stavros Papastavrou.
Mr Papastavrou pointed out that reasonable questions are raised, “especially when this project is of strategic importance to Cyprus as it will end its energy isolation, and also when on July 31, the regulatory authority of Cyprus, RAEK, approved the 25 million to implement the project. He is involved in regular weekly telephone communications with the Commission and the Greek Regulator for the implementation of the project. “
The minister also revealed that Greece has not seen the reports cited by the Cypriot Minister of Finance and called on the Cypriot side to “clarify its position”.
He added that the matter will be discussed on Thursday in Copenhagen, where the Greek Undersecretary will attend Nikos Tsafi.
Asked if the fact that Turkey has expressed its objections to the project has played a role, Mr Papastavrou replied that “here we are talking about the viability of the project, which is much further before it.”
Asked if Cyprus is back, then the task can be done, Mr. Papastavrou said laconically:
“The electrical interconnection of Cyprus also goes through Cyprus.”
Source: Skai
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