Greece Defies Turkey as Cable Survey Ship Prepares to Depart

07 Nov 2026, 09:09 by Bill Giannopoulos · Greek City Times

Athens insists work on the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector will proceed under international law, as a Turkish drone monitors the planned cable route south of Karpathos.

Greece is preparing to resume work on the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, despite renewed Turkish objections, with the French research vessel VB Abeille Marengo scheduled to depart from Heraklion, Crete, for waters off Kasos.

The vessel’s departure follows the issuance of a new Greek NAVTEX on Friday, November 6, covering the planned survey operations for the strategically important subsea electricity cable.

Athens has responded firmly to Ankara’s latest statements, making clear that Greece will not seek Turkish approval to exercise what it considers its sovereign rights.

Greek diplomatic sources stressed that the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) provides a clear legal framework that does not allow for alternative interpretations.

“The work of the French research vessel VB Abeille Marengo will proceed based on the company’s operational planning,” diplomatic sources said, adding that operations would take place in Greek and Cypriot territorial waters and areas of their respective continental shelves.

The sources also rejected Turkey’s suggestion that Ankara had been asked to grant permission for the project.

Turkish drone monitors planned cable route

Tensions have increased following reports of Turkish unmanned aerial vehicle activity over the eastern Aegean and waters south of Karpathos.

A Turkish UAV operating under the callsign VATOZ17 was reportedly conducting repeated surveillance flights over the maritime area where the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector is scheduled to pass.

According to available information cited in Greek media reports, the aircraft was believed to be an AKINCI or ANKA-type drone that had taken off from the Dalaman naval base.

The UAV was reportedly conducting maritime surveillance missions, monitoring activity in the area where the French research vessel is expected to operate.

Its tracking transmitter was allegedly being switched on and off intermittently, making it difficult to follow continuously through flight-monitoring systems.

The reported activity comes as Turkey increases its opposition to the resumption of cable surveys.

Ankara demands Turkish authorisation

On Friday, Turkey’s Foreign Ministry issued a statement claiming that the French-flagged vessel intended to conduct unauthorised marine scientific research within what Ankara describes as its continental shelf.

Turkey argued that permission should have been requested from its authorities before the research began.

The statement also claimed that Greek and Cypriot NAVTEX announcements had been cancelled by Ankara and described them as unauthorised.

Turkey based its position on the maritime coordinates it submitted to the United Nations on March 18, 2020, which outline its unilateral claims over parts of the eastern Mediterranean.

Ankara further declared that it would protect what it considers its sovereign rights under international law, calling for cooperation, dialogue and coordination in the region.

Greece does not recognise Turkey’s unilateral maritime claims or its assertion that Turkish authorisation is required for the planned operations.

Greece and Cyprus coordinate response

The latest exchange followed close coordination between Athens and Nicosia.

Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis held a telephone conversation with his Cypriot counterpart, Constantinos Kombos, on Friday as the two governments prepared for the next phase of the project.

Both countries subsequently issued NAVTEX announcements covering the planned survey operations.

The Greek NAVTEX outlines the cable route extending towards the limits of Cyprus’ exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Survey work has already been conducted in sections north of Crete, including areas of international waters, with further operations required east of Kasos towards the Cypriot EEZ.

Turkey issues counter-NAVTEX

Ankara responded by issuing counter-NAVTEX 1105/26, disputing the Greek maritime notice and renewing its claims over parts of the planned survey area.

The Turkish announcement referred again to its March 2020 submission to the United Nations, arguing that sections of the route fall within its claimed continental shelf.

Turkey also demanded that research activities in those areas be coordinated with its authorities.

Athens considers the demand an attempt to challenge Greece’s jurisdiction and establish Turkish approval as a prerequisite for activities in waters where Greece maintains its rights under international law.

The submission of unilateral maritime coordinates to the United Nations does not, by itself, establish an internationally agreed maritime boundary or settle competing continental shelf claims.

The planned departure of the Abeille Marengo therefore represents another significant test of Greece’s determination to proceed with the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector despite Ankara’s objections.

Stay connected to Greek City Times for Free on Google News
Click NOW
Stay updated with the latest news from Greece and around the world on greekcitytimes.com.
Contact our newsroom to share your updates, stories, photos, or videos. Follow GCT on WhatsApp, Google News and Apple News.

Related coverage

Advertising