Fidan Says Turkey-Greece NAVTEX Dispute Is Resolved

07 Nov 2026, 12:13 by GCT Team · Greek City Times

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan says the dispute surrounding NAVTEX notices for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project has been resolved, although the nature of any understanding between the parties remains unclear.

Speaking to Kathimerini, Fidan described the situation as normal and said there were no outstanding problems concerning the planned cable surveys.

“Everything is normal, everything is fine,” Fidan said when asked about the NAVTEX notices issued over the electricity interconnection project.

He added that the issue surrounding the NAVTEX for the cable works had been resolved.

His comments appear to signal a de-escalation following Ankara’s decision to issue a counter-NAVTEX challenging Greece’s announcement of renewed survey activity.

The Turkish notice stated that Ankara had not consented to the research activities announced by Athens and remained in effect until March 6, 2027, matching the expiration date of the Greek NAVTEX.

Athens rejects any suggestion of Turkish approval

Greek diplomatic sources told Kathimerini that Turkey’s internal management of the issue was not a matter for Athens.

The same sources stressed that Greece remains solely responsible for issuing the necessary licences for the surveys, adding that its actions are based on international law and will continue within that framework.

Athens had previously rejected any suggestion that permission from Turkey was required for the cable surveys.

The Greek position is that the licensing process falls within its own jurisdiction and is conducted in accordance with international law.

What Fidan told Kathimerini

Kathimerini also published a brief exchange between its Istanbul correspondent, Manolis Kostidis, and the Turkish Foreign Minister.

When asked about the NAVTEX notices, Fidan responded that everything was normal and that the issue had been resolved.

However, he did not explain whether an agreement had been reached, what its terms might be or whether Turkey had changed its position regarding the surveys.

French research vessel prepares to resume surveys

Meanwhile, the French research vessel Abeille Marengo is expected to depart the port of Heraklion on Monday, November 9, to resume investigations connected with the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection.

According to Kathimerini, the vessel has been allocated a 72-hour preparation period before its departure.

Greek sources had previously clarified that Athens had not held consultations with Paris to establish an arrangement with Ankara over the project.

They also stressed that any contacts involving the French side should not be interpreted as a request for Turkish authorisation.

The same sources considered Turkey’s counter-NAVTEX largely procedural in nature.

French officials were also reportedly displeased with the extensive publicity surrounding the dispute.

The dispute over the electricity interconnection

The latest developments follow the Greek Navy Hydrographic Service’s issuance of NAVTEX 1411/26 through its Heraklion station, announcing the resumption of surveys for the electricity interconnection between Greece and Cyprus.

Turkey subsequently issued counter-NAVTEX 1105/26 through its Antalya station, declaring that it had not authorised the announced research activity.

The competing notices raised fresh questions about the project’s progress and the wider maritime disagreements between Athens and Ankara.

Although Fidan now says the issue has been resolved, the absence of publicly disclosed details leaves questions about what, if anything, has been agreed between the two sides.

The departure of the Abeille Marengo on November 9 will be an important next step in determining whether survey operations can resume without further disruption.

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