Cyprus and Greece strengthen customs cooperation

The customs authorities of Cyprus and Greece met in Cyprus last Thursday to agree on the intensification and regular continuation of their bilateral cooperation. The meeting focused on key areas including customs controls, investigations, staff training, and risk analysis procedures to enhance the operational effectiveness of both administrations.

During the discussions, the Greek authorities presented their current restructuring plan, which aims to improve the efficiency of customs operations and combat corruption. Both sides exchanged experiences regarding their respective enforcement tools and equipment, with specific emphasis placed on the Greek 'TALOS' monitoring and control system. Additionally, the administrations discussed initiatives for joint personnel training and the transfer of technical expertise in preparation for the Greek presidency of the Council of the European Union, which is scheduled for the second half of 2027.

This bilateral initiative serves to harmonize administrative practices and improve border security protocols through systematic information sharing. The departments have committed to a more frequent and structured exchange of operational data to optimize their risk assessment frameworks and enforcement capabilities moving forward.