By Gifts Antoniou

Coordinated moves from Athens and Nicosia have been made in recent days, with the aim of unblocking the work of the Greece -Cyprus electric connection cable, following the “short circuit” imprinted last weekend.

In the morning the Minister of Environment and Energy yesterday, Stavros Papastavrouhe stated from Athens that it is a matter of a few days to publish the decision of the competent authorities of Cyprus, which will be transferred to ADMIE the ownership and management of the project by the previous body, the Euroasia Interconnector. It took not a few days, but only a few hours, as early at noon the two decisions of the Cyprus Regulatory Authority (RAEK) were published in the Journal of the Republic of Cyprus, which transferred to ADMIE by the license for interconnection line and the license.

This is the first step in the direction of resolving a series ‘Technical issues’ which have been significantly burdened by the climate between Athens and Nicosia. At the meeting held yesterday by K. Papastavrou with the Cypriot Minister of Energy George Papanastasiouall these issues were raised on the table. Athens and publicly has raised the issue of recognition from the Cypriot side so far of ADMIE’s expenditure on the project, which has reached 300 million euros and the compliance with the agreed disbursement timetable. The Greek side has also raised the issue of bilingualism by Nicosia in terms of the viability of the project. The Cypriot side references to reservations made regarding the prospect of continuing the project, following Turkey’s recorded reaction.

The climate broadcast in the wake of the meeting of the two ministers is that there was a deeply honest discussion and the objections and concerns were submitted openly, while agreed Coordination of actions to overcome issues that create the Black Out image, As for the prospects and the desire to proceed and complete the project.

The transfer of the ownership and management of the project to ADMIE yesterday is a first example in this direction. At the same time, the mobility developed by the Commission is considered a particularly positive development by expressing a willingness for immediate involvement in order to overcome obstacles. A meeting is expected to take place next week with the participation of the competent Commissioner for Action, Dan Yogersen. All the issues that cause delays, as well as the importance of highlighting the European dimension of the project (funded by 657m euros from Community funds) and secure European support for the claims of Ankara, will be underlined.