A French research vessel departed Irakleio on Tuesday to resume seabed surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity link, a strategic project, following diplomatic discussions between France and Turkey.

The Abeille Marengo left five days after Greece’s Navy Hydrographic Service issued a notice to mariners, or Navtex. Great Sea Interconnector and grid operator ADMIE said the vessel would calibrate its equipment before beginning surveys under notices issued by Greek and Cypriot authorities.

The ship was expected to remain in Greek territorial waters on Wednesday, possibly Thursday, before heading south of the passage between Kasos and Karpathos. No Turkish move had been reported by late Tuesday. Officials expected a Turkish response as the vessel approached waters east of Crete that Ankara considers its jurisdiction.

In Ankara, officials have signaled since Saturday that the outstanding issue had been resolved, though details remain undisclosed. It was unclear whether Turkey’s hydrographic station in Antalya would issue a notice.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said he expected the voyage to finish “without turbulence.” He said the cable would help end Cyprus’ energy isolation and was a project of common European interest, backed by European Commission funding.

Mitsotakis said only Greece and Cyprus had authorized the vessel’s passage and research. Information sent to third countries should not be confused with permitting, which he said was exclusively the responsibility of Athens and Nicosia. He added that a French diplomatic note to Turkey created no legal precedent and was not a request for authorization.

The European Commission is monitoring the project, balancing its strategic importance with concerns about Eastern Mediterranean tensions. Community sources described cautious optimism, citing diplomatic groundwork, but said it remained uncertain whether understandings would hold once surveys resumed.

The Commission supports the interconnector, an EU project of common interest that has received a grant of €657 million. Its 2026 report on Turkey said Ankara had continued to obstruct GSI survey activities.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has reportedly discussed the link with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, including in Ankara in January 2025 and Athens in November 2025. Brussels believes Fidan does not oppose construction outright, but officials caution that Ankara’s position may not translate into cooperation at sea.

Source: Ekathimerini.com