The Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) is a top priority for Israel, the country’s energy ministry head Eli Cohen has said, adding he stressed this to Cyprus’ Energy Minister George Papanastasiou.

In a post on X, Cohen said he spoke with Papanastasiou and “we underscored the strong relationship and ongoing cooperation between Israel and Cyprus and I emphasised the great importance of the Great Sea Interconnector project to Israel,” he wrote.

He added that “the project will connect Israel’s electricity grid to the European one through Cyprus and Greece and strengthen energy security in the region.

“This groundbreaking project is a top priority for Israel as it enhances regional energy security, provides access to diverse energy markets and strengthens Israel’s integration into the European energy network,” Cohen said.