Türkiye says French-flagged vessel plans unauthorised research in Eastern Mediterranean
The French research vessel will map the seabed for the Great Sea Interconnector after Greece and Cyprus issued permits, while Turkey disputes the route.
- On Tuesday, November 10, the French research vessel Abeille Marengo departed Heraklion to begin seabed surveys for the Great Sea Interconnector , a project linking the electricity grids of Greece and Cyprus.
- Amid long-standing maritime disputes in the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey issued a counter-NAVTEX claiming the survey area falls within its continental shelf and declaring the project 'unauthorised' and demanding coordination with Turkish authorities.
- Contradicting Turkey's NAVTEX 1127/26, which alleges the mission was coordinated with Turkish authorities, Greek government officials and Cypriot authorities maintain that only they authorized the operation.
- Cyprus' Search and Rescue Coordination Centre filed an anti-NAVTEX on Wednesday to formally contest the Turkish notice, as Greek officials stressed that French diplomatic communication 'does not constitute recognition' of Ankara's claims.
- With the mission scheduled until March 19, 2027, observers note potential risks similar to 2024, when Italian vessel Ievoli Relume survey operations faced delays following encounters with Turkish warships.
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The Great Maritime Interconnector (GIM), the ambitious energy project whose mission is to connect the electricity networks of Greece, Cyprus and Israel by means of a high-voltage submarine cable, again encounters geopolitical obstacles. Turkey refused a few days ago to start prospecting in the Aegean, reviving the old tensions with Greece over the jurisdiction of this sea. The project, driven in 2021, consists of the installation of a cable of m…
Greece-Cyprus Cable Project Enters Its Most Critical Phase Yet
ATHENS – The Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection project is entering a critical phase, as Athens moves to restart surveys ahead of the laying of the submarine cable, while Turkey disputes Greek jurisdiction and warns of a possible escalation of tensions in the Eastern Mediterranean. The next decisive step is expected on November 9 or 10, when the French survey vessel Abeille Marengo is scheduled to depart from Heraklion and begin operation…
French research vessel Abeille Marengo set to sail for cable surveys
The French research vessel Abeille Marengo is set to sail from Heraklion to begin seabed surveys for the electricity cable between Greece and Cyprus. The Marengo is due to head for the Greek island of Kasos, south of Karpathos, for the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project. Greek reports say the work will be monitored remotely […]
Breaking news - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement regarding an attempt by a French-flagged vessel to operate in Türkiye's continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean. The Ministry stated that the consent process, which must be obtained from Türkiye, has not yet been completed. The statement added that the vessel...
Türkiye says French-flagged vessel plans unauthorised research in Eastern Mediterranean
The Foreign Ministry stresses that the process of obtaining the country's consent has not yet been completed for the portion of the planned activities falling within its continental shelf.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that a French-flagged vessel plans to conduct marine scientific research in the Turkish continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean for the purpose of laying cables. The Ministry stated that the consent process, which must be obtained from Türkiye, has not been completed, and that Greece and the Greek Cypriot Administration have also expressed their opposition.
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