A damage control and to restore the relations between Athens and Nicosia, at least in the public discourse, was attempted at the 3rd Intergovernmental Summit between Greece and Cyprus and the joint statements of Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, with the cable being in the discussion.
The issue of the cable that threatened Greek Cypriot relations with a crisis in the previous period, with the Minister of Finance of the Republic of Cyprus, Makis Kerynos, openly questioning the viability of the project, was raised in the private talks between Mitsotakis and Christodoulides, while, as in informed, no mention was made in the expanded meetings.
The absence of Keravnos is also interpreted as a choice by Nicosia in order to keep a low profile and to disengage from the situation caused by the statements of the Cypriot Finance Minister.
Try to relieve the tension on the cable
According to competent sources who spoke to in on the cable issue, in the context of the effort to break the deadlock which - despite the public statements to the contrary about the fraternal relationship between Greece and Cyprus - continues to threaten Athens and Nicosia with a diplomatic incident, the solution of a new economic study was chosen, in order to examine the new economic data and prove whether it is viable and feasible.
If the new study shows that the project is economically advantageous to proceed then it will be launched in a way that will enable it to attract new investors. The same sources believe that the target for finding investors will not be the US, but Arab countries.
Even though the feeling in the joint statements of Mitsotakis and Christodoulides was that they would try to move forward quickly, sources with knowledge of the developments noted in in that this would take time and give room for the situation to ease.
The problem may not be Turkey
In this context, the same sources stressed that the developments prove that the problem was never Turkey, something that Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis has insisted on in his earlier statements, noting that despite any statements, Ankara has no ability to block the project, which does not concern exclusively the two countries, but is characterized as European.
The statements of Mitsotakis - Christodoulides
Typical were Mitsotakis« statements on energy issues, starting from the cooperation with the US, he said that »all these developments demonstrate the significant strategic importance of both our countries for the whole European continent, but also the catalytic role of groups such as the 3+1, which has been activated again in recent days at the level of Energy Ministers in Athens".
The Prime Minister described these partnerships as «vital for the shaping of both the energy and geopolitical map of the next decade and for the overall stability in our region. In this context, we further discussed the importance of deepening this regional cooperation to address common challenges.».
Referring to the cable, Mitsotakis said that «these new data make the added value of interconnectivity projects that we are already promoting even more important. They are projects that have a national dimension for both countries, but they are also projects that have a wider geopolitical footprint. That is why we have jointly decided to proceed with the immediate updating of the economic and technical parameters of the electrical interconnection cable project between our two countries, so that it can potentially be strengthened by the entry of new strong investors, which will obviously be to the benefit of all of us.’.
Common objective of substantive actions
For his part, Christodoulides said that «our common goal is also to take substantive actions and effectively implement projects that will have tangible economic benefits and a geopolitical footprint. And it is precisely in this context that we agreed with the Prime Minister on the need to update the economic and technical parameters for projects of particular geostrategic importance, such as those related to connectivity.».
He noted that «through the same reasoning, we will exploit the opportunities offered to us at European level, such as, for example, the SAFE programme, investing in the strengthening of our defence industries and, of course, contributing to the security and strategic autonomy of Europe».
The riddle of the Cyprus Presidency
At the same time, for Greek diplomacy, the question of what will happen with Euro-Turkish relations during the Cyprus Presidency of the EU, which starts on January 1, remains.
Nicosia, as Christodoulides has repeatedly stressed, will seek the smooth continuation of Euro-Turkish cooperation, but it is not clear what Ankara's choice will be, as during the previous Cypriot presidency, it had chosen to put Euro-Turkish relations in abeyance.
In this context, Athens and Nicosia are still waiting, with competent sources noting in in that it seems that Turkey is still thinking about what stance it will take, seeking to find a formula for selective participation in actions where Cyprus does not exist.
The same sources stressed that Turkey, despite its apparent strengthening in the diplomatic field, is facing the Israeli veto on their participation in a solution in Gaza, but also the US demand to cut off the flow of Russian gas.
With the most pragmatists noting that the suffocating pressure on Ankara on these issues may have negative effects on Greek-Turkish relations, as an area of de-escalation. They stress that normalcy and avenues of cooperation that do not create the need for Turkey to present an alternative power narrative at home are more beneficial, at least in terms of serving calm in Greek-Turkish relations.
Because, as they say, an isolated and suffocating Turkey is more dangerous than a Turkey that is bordered, but which sees its interests through calm and cooperation.
With many diplomats stressing the need to choose a positive agenda in Euro-Turkish relations that will keep the desired level without tensions during the Cypriot presidency.
