The governments of Cyprus and Greece on Saturday signed a “framework of understanding” regarding the section of the Great Sea Interconnector which will connect Cyprus to the Greek island of Crete.

The framework was signed by Cypriot Energy Minister George Papanastasiou and his Greek counterpart Theodoros Skylakakis, with the laying of cables under the sea set to restart “within the next few days”.

A joint announcement of the signing of the framework described the project as one of “strategic importance for Cyprus, Greece, and the entire European Union”.

This is the case, the announcement said, because it “will not only connect Cyprus to the European electricity system, facilitating its energy transition, but at the same time also promote Greece’s goal of becoming a clean energy transport corridor.”

Meanwhile, President Nikos Christodoulides spoke with his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron on Saturday, informing him about progress with regards to the interconnector in the context of French cable laying company Nexans’ participation in the project.

Government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said both Christodoulides and Macron had “underlined the importance of this project of common interest for the implementation of the European Union’s energy goals”.

Additionally, the pair also agreed to hold an in-person meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York in the coming week.