Mitsotakis on the cable: “A journey without turbulence” – what he said on the French note and the “Blue Homeland”

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expects the next phase of the surveys for the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnection to be completed without tension at sea. “I estimate it will be a journey that is completed without turbulence,” he said on Tuesday, November 10, speaking at a conference about the departure of the French survey vessel Abeille Marengo, which is waiting in the port of Heraklion.

Who granted the permit

Mr Mitsotakis focused in particular on who has given permission for the work. As he said, only Greece and Cyprus have granted it, and it is a mistake to confuse the licensing with the general notification that may be given to other states, for example Turkey or Egypt. Environment and Energy Minister Stavros Papastavrou had held the same line on the issuing of the NAVTEX, as we reported.

On France’s note verbale to Ankara, which sparked debate in recent days, the prime minister was categorical. The French move, he said, creates no issue for Athens, does not constitute a legal precedent and does not amount to a request for a permit. “My answer is clear: the Greek Government has no problem with this notification,” he said, adding that the project “is not a purely Greek-Cypriot project” but “a European project with a strong French presence.”

Deterrence and the “Blue Homeland”

Mr Mitsotakis recalled that the survey near Kasos was carried out within Greek territorial waters and sent a clear message of readiness. “Greece is ready at any moment for all eventualities. I do not expect an escalation of tension over this issue, but I want to remind you that in the past we have managed difficult cases. Remember the summer of 2020,” he said, linking deterrence with investment in the Armed Forces, which, he said, “allows us to safeguard our sovereignty.”

On relations with Ankara he noted that “we are condemned to be neighbours with Turkey” and that, despite disagreements, channels of communication remain open, but without Greek concessions. On the “Blue Homeland” bill being discussed in Turkey he warned: “It would be a mistake for Turkey to proceed; it would be a major burden on Greek-Turkish relations at a time of turmoil across the whole world. And if it happens, there will be a dynamic reaction from Greece.”

He also had pointed words for the opposition. The prime minister said he has the impression that some, including parties, either do not want the project to go ahead or are waiting for a crisis from which Greece will emerge the loser. “Neither the one nor the other will happen,” he answered, recalling the extension of territorial waters in the Ionian, the marine parks and the maritime spatial planning, which, he said, the government’s critics had claimed would not happen. He added that the parties are briefed on developments by the foreign minister in closed sessions of Parliament.

The Abeille Marengo awaits departure

Meanwhile the Abeille Marengo remains moored in Heraklion, with departure expected on Wednesday, November 11, after successive postponements. From there the vessel will continue the seabed surveys to chart the route of the GSI cable east of Crete. For background, see our explainer on the Great Sea Interconnector and the law of the sea.