Turkey issues diplomatic note to Israel, Greece, EU over subsea power grid project

Photo: EuroAsia Interconnector

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The Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed strong reservations over not being consulted over an EU-backed project in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ankara sent a diplomatic note to the Greek and Israeli embassies as well as the Delegation of the European Union saying that any further action should not take place without seeking permission from Turkey, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported, citing diplomatic sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity.

On March 8, Israel, Greece, and Southern Cyprus signed a memorandum of understanding on the EuroAsia Interconnector, which connects the electricity grids of the three states through a sub-sea cable.

The diplomatic note stated that the grid passes through Turkey's territorial waters, the sources said.

The project's visual documentation showed the planned route of the subsea electricity cable includes Turkey's continental shelf in the Eastern Mediterranean, the sources added.

According to international law, if a preliminary study is required before laying the cables, Turkey's permission must be sought, they argued.

If a preliminary study is not necessary, then Turkey should be informed in advance, added the sources. (EKN/VK)