Cabinet approves national coast guard to unify maritime security

Cyprus will establish an independent coast guard headquartered at the naval base in Mari following cabinet approval on Tuesday.

The proposal, presented by Justice Minister Costas Fitiris, sets out a new operational model that will consolidate responsibilities currently spread across multiple departments, with draft legislation to be submitted to parliament to enable the transfer of services.

The new service will assume full responsibility for monitoring, control and law enforcement from the coastline to the limits of the republic’s exclusive economic zone and search and rescue region, bringing together capabilities that have until now operated separately.

Under the plan, assets and personnel from the police marine unit, police helicopter squadron, the fisheries department and the hydrographic service will be integrated into the coast guard structure, alongside other relevant bodies.

Fitiris said the reform is intended to address longstanding fragmentation.

“We are a small state and there is a dispersion of responsibilities. The time has finally come to join forces, cut costs and have rapid response with high efficiency,” he said.

A coordinating committee involving the affected departments will be established to oversee the transition, ensuring the transfer of resources and operations is carried out smoothly and within a tight timeframe.

The coast guard will operate as an autonomous service, separate from the police, and is expected to be led by a maritime operations specialist rather than a serving police officer.

Infrastructure upgrades are planned at the Mari naval base to support both vessels and administrative functions, with the project expected to be largely financed through EU funding.

The initiative follows earlier ministerial discussions to strengthen national maritime security while reducing duplication of roles.

Fitiris said the objective is to achieve “the maximum possible result in the minimum time and at the lowest possible cost”, as authorities seek to modernise oversight of Cyprus’ coastal and offshore areas.