Dialogos

Phytiris: “Time to Consolidate Forces for Coast Guard and Fire Service”

Published February 9, 2026, 14:01
Phytiris: “Time to Consolidate Forces for Coast Guard and Fire Service”

Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Phytiris, announced the creation of a Coast Guard, independent of the Police, to protect Cyprus's maritime territory, including its EEZ. The Coast Guard will cooperate with the Port and Helicopter Squadron, as well as the Port Authority and the Fisheries Department. In addition, a Critical Infrastructure Protection Unit will be created, covering facilities such as airports and energy centers. The Minister stressed the need to consolidate forces and reduce costs in order to achieve a rapid and effective response to potential threats. At the same time, a plan to modernize the Fire Service was presented, which includes the acquisition of new vehicles, the installation of automatic fire detection systems, and the implementation of the ARGOS crisis management system. According to statistics, in 2025 the Fire Service rescued 2,351 people and dealt with 7,154 fires, of which 3,585 were urban and 3,569 were in the countryside.