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Cyprus Finance Minister questions viability of Great Sea Interconnector project

Cyprus's Finance Minister, Makis Keravnos, is questioning the viability of the 1.9 billion euro Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, citing two independent studies and expressing concern over a 25 million euro payment.

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Greek

Greece

EconomyEnergy SecurityGreeceEnergyCyprusEu FundingGreat Sea InterconnectorGsiNexans

AdmiRaekNexansEuropean Commission

Makis KeravnosJean Christophe JulienChristopher Gillangh

What are the underlying issues contributing to the uncertainty surrounding the GSI project?: Uncertainty stems from conflicting views within the Cypriot government, with the Finance Minister leading the opposition. The project's complexity involving economic, technical, and geopolitical factors further contributes to the delays, compounded by the slow progress despite EU funding since 2010.
What is the main concern raised by the Cypriot Finance Minister regarding the Great Sea Interconnector project?: The Cypriot Finance Minister, Makis Keravnos, questions the project's viability, citing two independent studies concluding it's not sustainable under current conditions. He's also hesitant to approve a 25 million euro payment to ADMIE, the Greek electricity grid operator, due to the project's uncertain future.
What are the potential consequences of the Cypriot Finance Minister's stance on the 25 million euro payment and the overall project?: Failure to approve the 25 million euro payment will halt ADMIE's recovery of expenses and could disrupt payments to Nexans, the cable manufacturer, potentially jeopardizing the project's completion. Nexans has a Plan B involving redirecting cable production to another project if GSI fails.

Cognitive Concepts

2/5

Framing Bias

The article presents a balanced view of the GSI project, including both positive and negative perspectives. However, the prominence given to the Cypriot Finance Minister's skepticism, and the repeated mention of his doubts regarding the project's viability, might subtly frame the narrative towards a more pessimistic outlook. The headline, while not explicitly biased, could be more neutral, avoiding words that imply negativity. The repeated emphasis on the Minister's statements, while factually accurate, could influence the reader's perception.

1/5

Language Bias

The language used is generally neutral, although there are instances where the phrasing could be improved for greater objectivity. For example, describing the Minister's actions as "raising the bar of uncertainty" is slightly loaded. A more neutral phrasing might be "increasing uncertainty." Similarly, phrases like "paγωμένο" (frozen) to describe the project, could be replaced with a more factual description of its current status.

3/5

Bias by Omission

The article lacks detailed information about the specifics of the two independent studies cited by the Minister. Knowing the methodologies and conclusions of these studies would provide more context for evaluating the Minister's claims. Furthermore, the perspectives of other key stakeholders involved in the project, besides the Minister, the regulatory authority, and Nexans, are largely missing. This omission prevents a more comprehensive understanding of the various viewpoints.

2/5

False Dichotomy

The article does not explicitly present false dichotomies, but there is an implicit framing that suggests the project will either succeed or fail completely. The complexity of the situation, which includes potential solutions and mitigating factors, is not fully explored. The presentation leans towards a binary outcome, neglecting intermediate possibilities.

Sustainable Development Goals

Affordable and Clean Energy Negative

Direct Relevance

The article highlights the uncertainty surrounding the Great Sea Interconnector (GSI) project, a crucial initiative for improving Cyprus's energy security and reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. The delay and potential cancellation of the project directly hinder progress towards affordable and clean energy goals. The Cypriot finance minister's doubts about the project's viability, coupled with potential delays and the contractor exploring alternative projects, significantly impact the timeline and success of GSI, thus negatively affecting the SDG 7 target of ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.

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