Cyprus plans to establish an independent Coast Guard

Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fytiris is set to present a formal proposal to the Council of Ministers regarding the creation of an independent Cyprus Coast Guard. The new service will oversee maritime surveillance, law enforcement, and control from the coastline to the limits of the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Search and Rescue region. To consolidate operations, the proposal includes integrating the Police Marine Unit, the Police Helicopter Squadron, the Department of Fisheries and Marine Research, and the Hydrographic Service under one umbrella. As these departments currently report to different ministries, new legislation will be submitted to parliament to facilitate their transfer. A transition committee featuring officers from all affected units is proposed to manage the relocation of assets and personnel. Minister Fytiris announced this initiative last month following an inter-ministerial meeting. The primary goal of the project is to enhance coordination and operational efficiency while minimizing costs. Funding for the project is expected to be largely provided by the European Union.