French Warships Deploy to Escort Greece-Cyprus Cable Survey Vessel

by · Greek City Times

French naval vessels have deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to provide security for the French research ship Abeille Marengo as it resumes seabed surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector.

The research vessel Abeille Marengo departed the port of Heraklion, Crete, on Tuesday afternoon, November 10, beginning its journey towards the maritime area where it will resume underwater surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI).

Two French warships have also reportedly sailed for the wider research area, where they are expected to provide an escort and protective presence during the operation.

Read more: France Notifies Turkey of GSI Works as Greece and Cyprus Issue Permits

According to military and diplomatic sources cited in reports, the French naval deployment is intended to deter potential interference with the research activities, amid Turkey’s longstanding objections to the electricity interconnection project.

The vessel’s departure followed the issuance of a NAVTEX by the Heraklion station of the Hellenic Navy’s Hydrographic Service.

French naval presence amid tensions with Turkey

The deployment comes against the backdrop of previous tensions surrounding the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, particularly over maritime research activities and competing claims in the Eastern Mediterranean.

France’s involvement highlights the strategic and European significance of the project, which is designated as a Project of Common Interest (PCI) and receives European Union support.

Paris has consistently supported the implementation of the interconnector, with the project also falling within the broader framework of French-Greek defence cooperation.

The reported naval escort is intended to provide a deterrent presence while allowing the research vessel to carry out its work. However, the French deployment is being described as discreet, with the objective of protecting the operation without triggering a wider confrontation with Turkey, a fellow NATO member.

France also maintains diplomatic and political channels with Ankara on issues including migration, Libya, regional security and trade.

Surveys begin near Karpathos

The Abeille Marengo’s first destination is the maritime area near Karpathos, where it is expected to conduct initial calibration tests of its specialised equipment.

These tests will involve sonars and seismic instruments before the vessel proceeds with detailed seabed mapping required to determine the safest route for laying the subsea electricity cable.

The research activities are expected to continue for several days.

Authorities in Athens, Nicosia and Paris are closely monitoring the vessel’s progress and developments in the surrounding maritime area as work resumes on the strategically important Greece-Cyprus electricity connection.

SEO title: French Warships Escort Greece-Cyprus Cable Survey Vessel

Meta description: Two French warships reportedly deploy to escort the Abeille Marengo as seabed surveys resume for the Greece-Cyprus Great Sea Interconnector.

Focus keyphrase: Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector

Excerpt: French warships have reportedly deployed to the Eastern Mediterranean to escort the Abeille Marengo as it resumes seabed surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector.

Slug: french-warships-escort-greece-cyprus-cable-survey

Tags: Greece, Cyprus, France, Turkey, Eastern Mediterranean, Great Sea Interconnector, GSI, Abeille Marengo, Greek Navy, French Navy, Energy Security, Subsea Cable

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