{
  "id": 3926348,
  "title": "Israel-Cyprus-Greece power grid connection gets US backing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/israel-cyprus-greece-power-grid-connection-gets-us-backing",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T09:00:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Jerusalem Post",
    "slug": "jerusalem-post",
    "url": "https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/article-906888"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The interconnector project linking Israel, Cyprus, and Greece's electricity grids has recently received significant backing from the United States and France. This development comes after years of delays due to Turkey's opposition to the plan, which was first proposed in 2022. The US State Department expressed support for energy security and cooperation in the Eastern Mediterranean, emphasizing the project's role in enhancing global energy security and promoting a safer and more prosperous future.\n\nOn Capitol Hill, US lawmakers urged Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the US International Development Finance Corporation to support the interconnector. France's infrastructure investment firm, Meridiam, recently signed an agreement to become the majority shareholder in the interconnector development company. Meanwhile, Greece's electricity transmission company, ADMIE, remains a strategic partner in the project.\n\nThe planned underwater power cables will span approximately 1,200 kilometers, connecting Crete, Cyprus, Israel, and Greece. However, Turkey's opposition to the project remains a significant hurdle. Turkey disputes Greece's claim to its economic waters, as outlined by international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This dispute arises from Turkey's refusal to recognize the boundaries of Greece's economic waters, despite the international community's belief that islands are independent parts of the mainland with their own continental shelves and territorial waters.\n\nThe Cyprus issue further complicates matters. Following a Greek military coup in 1974, Turkey invaded Cyprus and established the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus in 1983, a de facto state only recognized by Turkey. Turkey demands the rights to economic waters in the region, even deploying a permanent gas pipeline from it to Northern Cyprus. This situation has led to tension between Greece and Turkey, with Greece threatening retaliation if its sovereign rights are violated.\n\nDespite these challenges, the Greek government has adopted a more aggressive stance in response to Turkey's recent declaration of marine reserves in Greek areas. This move aims to deny Greek rights regarding fishing, security, and infrastructure deployment in the region. Greece remains prepared for various scenarios and is prepared to respond if Turkey sends warships to the area. As negotiations continue, the interconnector project aims to provide energy security for Cyprus, an EU member without a connection to the European electricity grid, and promote regional energy cooperation.",
  "summary": "As part of the project, underwater power cables will be laid along some 1,200 kilometers from Crete to Cyprus, and from there to Israel.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Globes English",
        "title": "Israel-Cyprus-Greece power grid connection gets US backing",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/27/israel-cyprus-greece-power-grid-connection-gets-us-backing",
        "published": "2026-08-27T09:23:20.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}