Cyprus plans to establish a new national coast guard

During a session of the parliamentary Control Committee on September 10, 2026, it was announced that Cyprus is moving forward with the establishment of a dedicated coast guard. The initiative, led by Justice Minister Kostas Fytiris, aims to centralize maritime surveillance and control responsibilities which are currently fragmented across multiple departments. By streamlining these efforts, the government intends to optimize the use of personnel and assets while reducing overall operational costs.

The organizational transition will be executed in two phases. Initially, the coast guard will operate under the Ministry of Justice and Public Order as a security force, modeled after the Greek equivalent. Following an transitional period, the agency will be integrated into the Deputy Ministry of Shipping. A legislative committee has been formed, and a draft bill is currently undergoing legal review at the Law Office of the Republic of Cyprus. The reform addresses long-standing concerns regarding operational overlaps and resource mismanagement in maritime security.