Greece–Cyprus Cable: What International Law Says About Surveys and Laying
Published
The planned undersea cable that will connect Greece with Cyprus is a major energy project. The Skai.gr report explains that the rules of international law for such projects are not always clear. The issue directly concerns the two countries, because the cable will pass through maritime areas where there are different views on the rights of each state.
The UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, signed in 1982, regulates maritime zones such as the exclusive economic zone and the continental shelf. According to the Convention, states have the right to lay cables on the continental shelf of other states. However, the Convention does not clearly explain the meaning of "research." The term is used for scientific research, but it is not clear whether it also covers the technical seabed surveys carried out before the cable is laid. This interpretative gap is the core point of the debate.
Before laying, surveys are usually carried out on the depth of the sea, the composition of the seabed, and possible archaeological findings. It is also checked whether other cables or pipelines already exist in the area. According to the Convention's rules, the routing of a cable across the continental shelf of a state requires the consent of the coastal state. For this reason, cooperation and communication between the countries involved are important.
The question of surveys and laying remains open for discussion among experts. A clear interpretation of the rules will affect the timing and progress of the project. For Greece and Cyprus, the answer to this question is of great importance for their energy cooperation and for their connection to the European energy market.
Sources: Skai.gr
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