From Iraqi Kurdistan, Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis sent Ankara a clear message that Greece would not tolerate interference in the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector, stressing that the project was moving ahead and that the Greek side had already authorised the vessel to conduct surveys and lay the cable.
In an interview on the sidelines of the Slemani Strategic Forum in Sulaymaniyah, Mr Gerapetritis referred to Turkish interference in the past, underlining the European significance of the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI).
“We have made it clear that this project is of European importance and that we will not tolerate any interference in this matter”, Mr Gerapetritis said.
Referring to recent Turkish moves against the vessel involved in work on the electricity interconnector, the foreign minister said “Greece has authorised the vessel to conduct surveys and lay the cable”, adding pointedly that “the project is moving ahead”.
Mr Gerapetritis said the Greece-Cyprus electricity interconnector was a project of fundamental importance to Europe, as it is intended to link Greece with Cyprus and, at a later stage, with the Middle East.
He said its completion would help reduce excessive dependence on energy, stressing that its significance extended beyond Greece and Cyprus to Europe, Africa and the Middle East.
He also noted that the Mediterranean already has a large number of energy interconnectors and that, despite the claims made by various countries, there was no reason for confrontation over projects of this kind.
Greece as an energy hub: Chevron, Exxon and the Vertical Corridor
The foreign minister gave particular attention to strengthening Greece’s energy role in the Eastern Mediterranean, noting that the country had become an energy hub through pipelines, electricity interconnectors and the Vertical Corridor, which is being developed in cooperation with US companies.
He also referred to hydrocarbon exploration and development projects south of Crete involving Chevron and Exxon, as well as the Greece-Egypt electricity interconnector through the GREGY project.
The aim, he explained, was to transfer green energy between Europe and Africa, strengthening energy security and reducing dependence on third countries.
Mr Gerapetritis referred to Europe’s previous excessive dependence on energy from Russia, saying European countries needed to further develop their energy infrastructure and interconnections with one another.
On relations between Greece and the United States, the foreign minister said they were at their strongest, highlighting the two countries’ close cooperation on regional and international issues.
He referred to the recent visit to Athens by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and their talks, which he described as particularly constructive and productive.
“The midterm elections will not affect this relationship in any way”, he stressed, adding that Greek-American ties transcended electoral cycles.
He also highlighted the role of the Greek-American community and the presence of a significant number of US representatives and senators of Greek descent, and referred to US investment in Greece and efforts to further strengthen economic cooperation.
Military action does not lead to lasting peace
Referring to developments in Iran and US President Donald Trump’s next moves, Mr Gerapetritis said every diplomatic avenue should be pursued to reach a solution.
“I do not believe that any military action at this point, in such a volatile region, could lead to lasting peace”, he said.
The foreign minister described the instrumentalisation of the Strait of Hormuz as wholly unacceptable, noting that obstructing freedom of navigation causes energy and food insecurity worldwide.
He said the Gulf states and neighbouring countries must be involved in diplomatic efforts to shape a lasting solution that would guarantee regional security and freedom of navigation.
He also stressed the need to strengthen Europe’s deterrence capabilities, noting that Europe could no longer take US security guarantees for granted.
“If you do not have deterrence mechanisms, you cannot ensure peace”, he said.
Direct air link between Athens and Sulaymaniyah
The foreign minister said he was optimistic that a direct air link between Athens and Sulaymaniyah would be established in the very near future.
He said Iraqi Kurdistan offered significant investment opportunities in energy, agriculture and tourism, and expressed the hope that Greek businesses would be among the first to seize them.
He noted that economic development was essential to the region’s stability and said he believed Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan could become major international investment destinations.
IMEC: Greek ports as a gateway to Europe
Finally, Mr Gerapetritis referred to the India–Middle East–Europe economic corridor (IMEC), describing it as a project of global significance that could transform international transport and energy interconnections.
He said developments in the Strait of Hormuz, Bab el-Mandeb and the Red Sea made it necessary to develop alternative routes for transporting goods, electricity and data, and for telecommunications.
“We believe Greek ports are the entirely logical final destination for the corridor on its way to Europe and its gateway into Europe”, he said.
He stressed that Greece had the necessary port infrastructure in Piraeus, Thessaloniki and other ports, as well as the world’s largest merchant fleet, representing almost 20% of the global fleet and more than 60% of the European fleet.
He added that Greece’s energy and transport interconnections could also provide access to Eastern and Central Europe, as well as North Africa.