European cooperation is not merely a political objective but a practical tool that delivers tangible results, Minister of Justice and Public Order Costas Fytiris said on Monday.
The Minister was speaking at the opening of the 148th meeting of Europol’s Management Board, taking place at the Filoxenia Conference Centre in Nicosia, in the context of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
Fytiris said that hosting the meeting was a special honour for Cyprus and coincided with the completion of the country’s 18-month term as Vice-Chair of Europol’s Management Board.
He noted that technological developments, geopolitical shifts and the spread of criminal networks create an environment that requires ‘vigilance, coordination and continuous investment in our collective ability to prevent and address threats.’
The Minister added that combating serious and organised crime, countering terrorism, protecting children from online threats, tackling cyberattacks and investigating new forms of crime are areas where European cooperation produces substantive results.
Referring to innovation, Fytiris said that artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis tools and new technological applications are transforming the work of law enforcement authorities, with Europol playing a leading role in supporting member states in using these capabilities ‘effectively and in line with the fundamental principles of the EU.’
For his part, Chief of Police Themistos Arnaoutis said the meeting was taking place at a time when Cyprus holds the role of Vice-Chair of Europol’s Management Board, actively contributing to its work and to the shaping of the organisation’s strategic direction.
Arnaoutis said that threats are becoming ‘more complex, faster and often go beyond national borders,’ adding that cooperation among member states remains crucial, as no country can effectively deal on its own with phenomena that have a strong cross-border dimension.
He also noted that Europol has established itself as a valuable partner for EU member states, through its support to national authorities, the exchange of information and the provision of specialised knowledge and expertise.
The Chief of Police further said that the meeting is of particular importance for Cyprus, as it coincides with the conclusion of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU, highlighting the country’s commitment to strengthening European cooperation for citizens’ security.
Cypriot MP and Co-Chair of the Europol Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group Demetris Demetriou referred to the Group’s meeting held in Nicosia on February 4 and 5, saying it offered MPs from across Europe an opportunity for meaningful dialogue, parliamentary scrutiny and a deeper understanding of Europol’s work.
He said the meeting focused, among other issues, on Europol’s role in combating migrant smuggling, cybercrime, terrorism, drug trafficking, online child sexual exploitation and financial crime.
Demetriou noted that the Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group contributes to strengthening Europol’s accountability, adding that its next meeting will take place in early November 2026 in Brussels.
Europol Management Board Chairperson Ireneusz Sienko thanked Cyprus for hosting the meeting, while Europol Acting Executive Director Jurgen Ebner thanked Cyprus for what had been achieved during its EU Presidency, referring among other things to the launch of the Centre against Migrant Smuggling, discussions on Europol’s future and the importance of parliamentary scrutiny.