Greece Begins Countdown as French Vessel Prepares For Cable Survey

by · Greek City Times

Greece maintains that it is the only country authorised to issue permits for activities related to the installation of the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection cable, as work prepares to begin following several days of diplomatic tensions with Turkey.

The French vessel Abeille Marengo is expected to depart from Heraklion, Crete, within the coming hours to begin the operations. Greece has issued a NAVTEX covering the activities, in accordance with relevant international practices.

The planned work follows strong domestic political reactions and intensive diplomatic contacts, after Turkey repeatedly demanded prior notification and approval for research activities in the area.

According to information disclosed by TA NEA newspaper director George Mantelas during MEGA television’s main evening news bulletin, the French embassy in Ankara notified Turkey about the planned activities.

Read more: Greece and Turkey Trade NAVTEX Over Cable Survey Off Crete

The central issue concerns whether France simply informed Turkey of the planned operations or whether the Turkish side attempted to present the notification as recognition of its authority to approve the research activities.

Athens insists that only the Greek authorities issued the relevant permit.

Diplomatic sources in Athens said Greece had also provided written notification to all countries in the region. Other sources indicated that Turkey appeared satisfied with the notification through French diplomatic channels. Athens expects the cable-laying operations to proceed without incident, weather and other circumstances permitting.

Athens: Greece is the only country authorised to issue permits

In response to Turkish demands, Athens emphasises that Greece alone holds the authority to issue the relevant permit and that its actions comply with international law.

The Greek position distinguishes diplomatic notification from seeking permission, stressing that informing a third country about planned activities does not automatically recognise that country’s right to approve them.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also addressed the issue in his Sunday social media post, sending a message to Turkey.

Turkish newspaper report sparks controversy

The diplomatic tensions intensified following a report in the Turkish newspaper Türkgün, headlined “A Cold Shower for Athens”, which discussed contacts between French officials and Ankara and conveyed Turkish warnings about the research activities.

According to the report, the French ambassador to Ankara met representatives of Turkey’s Foreign Ministry. During the meeting, the Turkish side reportedly demanded that France obtain prior approval from Ankara before conducting research and provide advance details about the scope and coordinates of the operations.

The Turkish newspaper also reported that Ankara had warned it might intervene again in the research activities if the parties failed to seek its permission.

Opposition parties raise concerns

The developments also triggered reactions within Greece’s domestic political scene. The debate focused on how France notified Ankara and whether Turkey intended to use the diplomatic communication to strengthen its territorial and maritime claims.

The Greek Left Coalition (ELAS) expressed opposition to France submitting a written diplomatic note to Turkey concerning the installation of the electricity interconnection cable. In a statement, the party described the development as damaging to Greece’s national interests.

Athens, however, maintains that Greece has acted and continues to act in accordance with international law and that the specific activities do not require Turkish approval.

Greek NAVTEX remains in force for research operations

Greece’s NAVTEX covering the research activities of the French vessel Abeille Marengo remains in force from November 6 until March 6.

The navigational warning covers the route from Crete towards Kasos and further east, extending to the boundaries of Cyprus’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The research vessel remains at the port of Heraklion and is expected to depart for the area where the operations will take place.

Cyprus has also issued a corresponding NAVTEX covering the section of the route within its EEZ, effective from November 19 until March 19. Together, the two navigational warnings cover the cable route from Crete to Cyprus.

Turkey responded by issuing a counter-NAVTEX, renewing its claim that part of the area falls within its continental shelf and insisting that the operations must coordinate with Turkish authorities.

(Source: AMNA)

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