President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, and Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, announced on Wednesday their decision to proceed with the immediate updating of the economic and technical parameters of the Cyprus-Greece electricity interconnection cable project (Great Sea Interconnector, GSI) so that it can potentially be strengthened with powerful investors.

The announcement was made during their joint statements following the end of the 3rd Intergovernmental Summit of the two countries.

Regarding the Cyprus issue, the Prime Minister of Greece and the President of the Republic of Cyprus reiterated their common position on an effort that would resume the Cyprus talks on the basis of the UN resolutions. President Christodoulides thanked Greece for remaining the most stable and selfless ally and partner of Cyprus and while PM Mitsotakis noted that it is now up to others to prove whether they really want a process of restarting the talks.

In his statements, President Christodoulides said that two years after the establishment of the Intergovernmental Conference, significant progress and developments have been achieved in the coordination and strategic orientation of the two governments in a wide range of policies. He underlined that the convergence of Athens and Nicosia has been and remains a fundamental pillar of stability in a special and often turbulent region.

“We share common roots, common values, a common vision and a common duty: to defend security and stability both in our countries and in our neighborhood, as well as of course the well-being of our citizens,” he noted, adding that the strategic alignment and synergy of Greece and Cyprus is uninterrupted and absolutely effective.

“Cyprus and Greece are in full coordination in expanding our mutual and regional energy cooperation and interconnectivity, as demonstrated by the recent meeting of the 3+1 format at the level of Energy Ministers. I agree with PM Mitsotakis that our common goal is to take essential actions for the effective implementation of projects that will have tangible economic benefits as well as 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,” President Christodoulides stressed.

Moreover, he said opportunities provided at the European level will also be utilized, such as the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)  tool, by investing in strengthening the defence industry and at the same time contributing to the security and strategic autonomy of the EU.

Referring to the Summit, the President of the Republic focused on four areas. Firstly, on the environment, saying that water scarcity is perhaps the greatest challenge. “This is precisely why we are working systematically and together for the sustainable management of water resources, with the use of reclaimed water and the transfer of know-how for large desalination plants,” he stressed, adding that strengthening water resilience is also among the priorities of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Secondly, he referred to civil protection, stressing that preparations for the European Firefighting Hub, based in Cyprus, are progressing. Furthermore, he referred to the protection of minors in the digital space, with policies that limit digital addiction and enhance online safety.

Regarding foreign policy, President Christodoulides stressed that the two countries are aligning their actions and policies and underlined that these include coordination for the upcoming full integration of Cyprus into the Schengen area, as well as the implementation of the New Pact for the Mediterranean.

“The focus of our joint effort, the highest national priority remains of course the end of the occupation and the reunification of Cyprus, on the basis of the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council, international law and the European acquis. Cyprus and Greece are moving together towards achieving this historic, this national necessity", he pointed out. 

President Christodoulides thanked the Greek Prime Minister saying that Greece and the Greek people "remain the most stable and most selfless, ally and partner”.

In his statements, the Greek Prime Minister  noted that the two countries decided to proceed with the updating of the economic and technical parameters of the interconnection project “so that it can be strengthened with the entry of new, powerful investors, which is to the benefit of all of us”.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis underlined that Athens and Nicosia remain committed to a peaceful cooperation based on international law and the law of the sea and added that in a time of uncertainty they are pillars of stability and reliability in the wider region. This, he added, was shown in practice with the "very important agreements of US companies" that were signed a few days ago and “which contribute to the energy security of the whole of Europe, from the Mediterranean to Moldova and Ukraine”.

The Greek Prime Minister also said that Greece follows Cyprus as regards drillings, noting that after 40 years, the first research drilling rig is preparing to start work within the next 18 months in the Ionian Sea.

“All developments demonstrate the strategic importance of our countries for the entire European continent,”  the Greek Prime Minister underlined and referred to the “catalytic role of schemes such as the 3+1, which was activated again at the level of Energy Ministers.”

Referring to developments in the Middle East and the role of Greece and Cyprus, he stressed that "the 3rd Intergovernmental Conference confirmed the significant presence of our countries in developments in the Middle East, we were present at the Peace Conference in Sharm El Sheikh, we will be present in the future, ready to contribute as part of a force that will guarantee the implementation of the agreement, provided that it has an explicit mandate from the UN Security Council."

Regarding the Cyprus issue, Mitsotakis reiterated that the position is clear saying that Athens supports the efforts to reunify the island as it is required by the UN resolutions. He also said that the Foreign Ministers of Greece and Cyprus have worked together to bring back the Cyprus issue to the UN Secretary General's agenda after a period of inactivity.

"Now it is up to others to prove whether they really mean that they want a process of restarting the talks within the framework of very clear guidelines determined by the decisions of the UN Security Council and the overall framework of EU-Turkish relations as reflected in meetings of the European Council," the Prime Minister of Greece concluded.

Cyprus has been divided since 1974, when Turkey invaded and occupied its northern third. Repeated rounds of UN-led peace talks have so far failed to yield results due to Turkish intransigence. The latest round of negotiations, in July 2017 at the Swiss resort of Crans-Montana ended inconclusively.

In 2025 the Secretary-General hosted two informal meetings on Cyprus, in March in Geneva and in July in New York, while a tripartite meeting with the Cyprus leaders was also held in late September, at the end of the UN General Assembly High Level Week. An informal meeting in broader format is expected later this year.

María Angela Holguín, the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy on Cyprus, is tasked to engage with the parties, while former European Commissioner Johannes Hahn, designated by the Commission as Special Envoy for Cyprus, is also expected to contribute to the settlement process, in cooperation with Holguín.

CNA/AZA/AAR/EPH/2025

ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY