Cyprus cabinet approves creation of independent coast guard

The Cypriot Council of Ministers has officially approved a proposal by Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fytiris to establish an independent Coast Guard. The new service will consolidate responsibilities currently fragmented across several ministries to improve maritime security and operational efficiency. It will be responsible for surveillance, law enforcement, and search and rescue operations from the coastline to the limits of Cyprus's Exclusive Economic Zone. Departments to be integrated include the Police Marine Unit, the Police Helicopter Squadron, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and the Hydrographic Service. There is a discrepancy in reports regarding the headquarters location, with sources mentioning either the Evangelos Florakis naval base in Mari or the Andreas Papandreou base in Paphos. A transition committee will be formed to oversee the transfer of personnel and assets. Legislation will be submitted to Parliament to facilitate the relocation of these services under the new authority. The project is expected to receive significant funding from the European Union.