Geoffrey Pyatt, the former U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for Energy Resources and ex-Ambassador to Greece, has called on Cyprus to fully support and help fund the Great Sea Interconnector, the strategic electricity cable that aims to link Cyprus, Greece, and Israel.

Speaking to mononews.gr during the Delphi Economic Forum in Greece, Pyatt emphasized that the Great Sea Interconnector is a project of major strategic importance. However, he pointed to Cyprus as the main reason for the delays, citing indecisiveness and economic interests on the island that prefer to maintain the status quo.

"I believe the project has a future, but only if it proves financially viable," Pyatt said. "I've heard clear support from both Greek Prime Minister Mitsotakis and the Cypriot government, including the Energy Minister. The issue now is financing."

The former U.S. diplomat didn’t mince words: “I think the project should be funded and that Cyprus should pay for it. In Cyprus, the problem is that consumers are expected to prepay the cost. But long-term, this project makes 100% economic sense.”

Pyatt rejected the idea that geopolitical risk—such as tensions with Turkey—should be viewed as the main obstacle. "The real issue is business viability. The delay is about economics and political choices in Nicosia, not geopolitics," he noted, adding that energy projects face political risks globally, including in the U.S. He further said, "I believe it’s the interests in Nicosia that must decide."

Highlighting Cyprus’s urgent need for cleaner energy, Pyatt warned that its electricity grid remains the least green in the European Union. "Cyprus must connect with Europe—it is a European country," he said. "And right now, Greece is exporting energy and needs more interconnections, including with Cyprus."

Closing his remarks, Pyatt, now Senior Managing Director for Energy and Critical Minerals at McLarty Associates, said he remains optimistic: “If the business side is viable, this project can and should move forward.”