The Cyprus problem seems to have entered a new phase in the effort to find a solution, following the relatively recent visit of President Christodoulides to Germany and the discussions he had with Chancellor Solts on the EU's initiative for its resolution, with Merkel's name being mentioned for the role of mediator.
However, Erdogan and Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan, in their recent statements, appear adamant in their position for a resolution of the Cyprus problem, which is the existence of two (2) states in Cyprus and not one state on the basis of a bizonal-bicommunal federation, according to all Security Council (SC) resolutions so far.
Which International issues affect the Cyprus problem
However, there are many issues that affect and will affect the developments in the Cyprus problem, with the most important in our assessment being the following:
US-Turkish relations, the purchase or not by Ankara of 40 US F-16 BLOCK-70 fighter jets, the approval or not by the Turkish parliament in the autumn of Sweden's acceptance of NATO membership, the financial support of Turkey by the IMF with US intervention, Greek-Turkish relations, the establishment or not of new US bases on an island or islands in the Aegean and on which ones, the energy interconnection of Cyprus with other countries in the Mediterranean region, and which ones, and the question of whether or not Cyprus will be able to establish new bases in the Aegean. East and then with Greece, the further deepening of US-Cyprus, Israel-Cyprus and Egypt-Cyprus relations.
US-Cyprus relations
Relations between the two countries are going from good to better, with Cyprus becoming a strategic partner and ally of the US-Israel in the SE Mediterranean region, giving Tel Aviv the strategic depth it needs due to the limited size and terrain of Israel's territory, which is surrounded by Hmash-Hezbollah and Syria, where Iranian forces are based, on the one hand, and on the other hand, by providing a bridge of communication between Souda and Israel, but also by being the 'eye' of the USA in the Middle East. It is also an eye of the Middle East.
"US Senator and Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Robert Menendez, is expected to visit Cyprus to speak at the Cyprus Diaspora Conference to be held in Nicosia," International Media reports, among others, which notes:
"A milestone event" is how the head of the Cypriot Expatriate and Returning Citizens Service, Thalia Polydorou, described the presence of the American senator, known for his sympathetic attitude towards the positions of Nicosia and Athens.
Menendez, who has previously been referred to as an ally of Cyprus and Greece, commemorated the recent 49th anniversary of Turkey's invasion and occupation of the island on July 20, 1974 with the following statements:
"Forty-nine years since Turkey's invasion of the Republic of Cyprus, the continued occupation of the north of the Republic remains an affront to international law, countless United Nations resolutions and the Cypriot people. Turkey's aggression forced thousands of people to flee their homes and many are still missing to this day.
"I unequivocally condemn Turkey's continued aggressive and antagonistic behaviour, including its provocative actions in Varosha. President Erdogan must immediately withdraw the more than 40,000 troops from the territory of the Republic and allow the reunification of Cyprus.
"I reaffirm my commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and unitary state of Cyprus based on a bizonal, bicommunal federation, as well as its defence, and I will continue to pursue legislation to advance our military ties. Congress made clear that through the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Cooperation Act, the United States and Cyprus remain strong friends and partners."
The conference will be held at the University of Nicosia from August 22-25, where President Nicos Christodoulides will address the opening ceremony. Menendez will address the Cyprus Diaspora on Thursday 24 August."
The importance of electricity interconnections
Electricity interconnections play a crucial role in our collective efforts to achieve climate neutrality, according to Andreas Poulikka, President of the Cyprus Energy Regulatory Authority (CERC).
Pulikkas explained that he outlined the historical context of the electricity industry, highlighting how utilities originally operated in isolated systems, which posed significant challenges during crises. Over time, however, the creation of electrical interconnections between neighboring systems became critical to enhancing reliability.
"Today, electrical interconnections include high-voltage power cables that enable the transfer of electricity between countries," Pulikkas said.
"These interconnections play a critical role in the efficient and reliable operation of modern power systems by facilitating the exchange of electricity between multiple interconnected systems," he added. This, in turn, allows for the sharing of resources such as installed capacity and electricity transmission infrastructure, while also enabling electricity exchanges between nations, to the benefit of the market .
The President of RAEK noted that the European Union (EU) has set ambitious targets for electricity interconnections, not only within the EU Member States but also in the wider region.
These interconnections are recognised as the ideal technology to support the energy transition, integrating renewable energy sources and energy storage systems.
Their primary objective, he explained, is to enhance energy security and reliability by allowing the import or exchange of electricity from neighbouring systems. In addition, electricity interconnections are vital to achieving the EU's goal of a unified electricity market and to facilitate the integration of significant amounts of renewable energy across the EU.
Addressing misconceptions about electrical interconnectors and their role in the energy transition, Pulikkas said that "the truth is that electrical interconnectors play a vital role in achieving climate neutrality".
He highlighted the unique advantages they offer, acting as a bridge between reliable fossil fuel-based electricity generation and renewable energy sources.
"Electricity interconnections allow the import of clean, renewable energy when needed, ensuring stable and reliable energy supply during the transition to an energy system dominated by renewable sources, together with energy storage systems," he said. In addition, Pulikkas stressed that electricity interconnections help reduce overall energy costs. By providing access to cheaper electricity between member states and neighbouring countries, consumers can benefit from reduced prices.
"These interconnections allow the EU to make the most of the potential of green energy by optimising the use and management of renewable energy sources," he said.
Looking ahead, the completion of a smart supergrid connecting Europe with countries in North Africa and the Middle East is expected to support the deployment of large-scale renewable energy systems in areas with high potential.
"This important development is in line with the EU's long-term goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050," said the RAEC chairman. "The future grid will support the development of wind farms in the North Sea and Western Europe, as well as solar systems, using photovoltaic and solar thermal technologies, in Southern Europe, North Africa and the Middle East," he added.
Furthermore, he explained that with such a geographical distribution of renewable energy sources and the use of energy storage systems, the EU envisages a future powered exclusively by renewable energy sources, drastically reducing dependence on fossil fuels and thus reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Moreover, Poullikkas urged Cyprus to become part of this smart supergrid, stressing that it is currently the only EU Member State that is not interconnected to the EU's internal electricity market. "Becoming part of this ambitious project will place Cyprus at the forefront of the energy transition, promoting energy security, environmental sustainability and cost-effective electricity solutions for its citizens," he concluded.
Conclusion
From the above, it is clear from the above that the Chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Mr. Menendez, is unwavering in his support for a just solution in Cyprus with reunification of the island without Turkish occupation troops on it.
Also, the dynamic of the electrical-energy interconnection of Cyprus with countries of the Middle East (Israel-EURASIA INTERCONNECTOR) which runs along the Israel-Cyprus-Crete route and with countries of North Africa (Egypt) with which it maintains very good relations.
The map of the route of the Cyprus-Crete electricity interconnection cable establishes the delimitation of the EEZ of Greece and Cyprus, which are adjacent to each other according to the Law of the Sea and the map of the University of Seville, while to the south is the boundary of the partial delimitation of the EEZ of Greece and Egypt and to the north the arbitrary Turkish delimitation of the search and rescue area in the Eastern Mediterranean.
How the first two (2) maps will be interconnected or how the third arbitrary Turkish map will be interconnected after pressure on Greece and Cyprus, in order to delimit the Greek EEZ with the Turkish EEZ south of Kastelorizo and the Turkish EEZ with the Cypriot EEZ remains to be seen.
