Greece is preparing to resume seabed surveys next month for a planned undersea power cable linking it to Cyprus, setting up a fresh test of whether Turkey will try to block a project that has repeatedly fueled tensions between the two NATO allies.
By Antonis Telopoulos
French cable maker Nexans has asked Greek and Cypriot authorities for permission to survey the seabed with the French-flagged vessel Abeille Marengo.
Greece is expected to issue a navigational warning, known as a NAVTEX, for the work in November.
The key question is how Ankara responds once the ship is at sea. In July 2024, Turkish warships shadowed an Italian survey vessel near the Greek island of Kasos, stalling the work.
Turkey says the cable route crosses its continental shelf, citing maritime boundaries it has filed with the United Nations and a disputed 2019 deal with Libya. Athens insists it needs no Turkish permission.
Ankara recently issued two counter-warnings, one against a multinational naval exercise south of the Greek island of Kastellorizo and another against Cypriot surveys for a separate telecoms cable.
Diplomats are weighing whether France, whose companies Nexans and Meridiam are involved in the project, could notify Ankara of the survey in advance.
That could allow Turkey to claim its concerns were heard without Greece appearing to recognize Turkish jurisdiction. Nexans has denied any direct contact with Turkish authorities.
During a recent visit to Athens, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio backed eastern Mediterranean power links but urged quiet diplomacy, noting the "sensitivities" of other countries in the region.
Republican Sen. Rick Scott, visiting days later, called Turkey's conduct toward Greece and Cyprus bullying and pledged to help ensure Ankara doesn't obstruct the project.
The European Union-backed cable, known as the Great Sea Interconnector, aims to end Cyprus' energy isolation but has faced lengthy delays.