European Commission refused to fund power cable between Turkey and Northern Cyprus

The European Commission has stated that the European Union will not finance the power transmission line project between Turkey and the TRNC. Brussels emphasized that this project is not included in the list of «projects of mutual interest» for the EU.

The Commission's position was voiced in a written response to a request from Yannis Maniatis, Vice-President of the Socialists and Democrats group in the European Parliament. According to Greek media reports, Brussels confirmed its support for the alternative Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, which provides for an energy connection between Greece, Cyprus, and Israel.

Previously, the European Union has already allocated about 657 million euros for the implementation of the GSI project. The European Commission also recalled that Turkey has observer status in the European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) and is obliged to cooperate with the official power system operator of the Republic of Cyprus.

According to Yannis Maniatis, the EU decision is another signal to Ankara. The politician called for accelerating the implementation of the GSI project, emphasizing that it has been repeatedly recognized by the European Commission as economically and geopolitically beneficial.

The issue of energy connection remains one of the most sensitive topics in relations between the parties in Cyprus. Brussels' decision could intensify the discussion surrounding the future of the island's energy infrastructure and the role of the EU in regional projects.