Filenews 13 January 2026
The establishment of a permanent inter-ministerial committee for the systematic monitoring of pending issues, decision-making and the effective implementation of what has been agreed, was decided by the Ministers of Justice of Cyprus and Greece during their meeting yesterday in Athens.
The Minister of Justice and Public Order of the Republic of Cyprus, Costas Fytiris, and the Minister of Justice of Greece, George Florides, also exchanged views on issues related to their portfolio, while Mr. Florides briefed the Cypriot Minister on the reforms implemented in the field of Greek justice and the positive results that have been achieved, most importantly the faster administration of justice.
At the same time, Mr. Fytiris had, in Athens, meetings with both the Greek Minister of Shipping, Vassilis Kikilias, the Minister of Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, and the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family, Domna Michailidou.
During the meeting with Mr. Kikilias, the prospect of concluding a holistic memorandum of cooperation was discussed, focusing on the surveillance of maritime zones, the fight against drug smuggling and trafficking, the prevention and response to organized crime in the maritime space between Greece and Cyprus, as well as the exchange of information and operational data.
Particular emphasis was placed on the creation of a Cyprus Coast Guard, with a single administrative and operational structure. In this context, the utilization of the experience of Greece and the Hellenic Coast Guard was discussed, as well as the training of executives of the Cypriot services in Greece, with the aim of transferring know-how and best practices.
During the meeting with Mr. Chrysochoidis, it was stressed that the two countries have common goals and common challenges in the field of internal and external security, such as illegal immigration, border shielding and the fight against organized crime. In this context, the importance of cooperation also through European and international organisations, such as Frontex, Europol and Interpol, was underlined.
It was agreed to establish a corresponding inter-ministerial committee with regular meetings every six months, as well as to allocate each year a specific number of positions at the Hellenic Police Officers' School for members of the Cyprus Police, in the context of strengthening training and interoperability.
Mr. Fytiris informed about the reorganization of the Cyprus Police and the creation of the Directorate for Combating Organized Crime, while Mr. Chrysochoidis underlined that the Greek experience in this field has yielded particularly positive results, expressing the support of the Greek side, both in terms of guidance and transfer of know-how.
At the meeting with the Minister of Social Cohesion and Family of Greece, Domna Michailidou, an exchange of views took place and the prospects for closer cooperation were explored, as well as the exchange of experiences and best practices on key issues of gender-based violence, gender equality and the protection of human rights.
Particular reference was made to the utilization of successful support programs for vulnerable groups, which are implemented in Greece, with the aim of transferring know-how and strengthening similar actions in the Republic of Cyprus.
At the center of the discussion was the tackling of gender-based violence, which is a key priority of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the European Union, with the aim of strengthening prevention policies, protecting victims and dealing with the phenomenon more effectively at European level.
CNA
