European cooperation is not merely a political goal, but a practical tool that delivers tangible results, said the Minister of Justice and Public Order, Kostas Fytiris, on Monday.

The minister was speaking at the opening of the 148th meeting of the Europol Management Board, which is taking place at the “Filoxenia” Conference Center, in Nicosia, as part of the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU.

Mr. Fytiris said that hosting the meeting is a special honor for Cyprus and coincides with the conclusion of the country’s 18-month term as Vice-Chair of theof the Europol Management Board.

He noted that this timing underscores the importance of European cooperation and the decisive role of European institutions in promoting common approaches to the challenges facing Europe.

As he noted, technological advances, geopolitical shifts, and the spread of criminal networks are creating an environment that requires “vigilance, coordination, and continuous investment in our collective ability to prevent and counter threats.”

The Minister added that combating serious and organized crime, countering terrorism, protecting children from online threats, countering cyberattacks, and investigating new forms of crime are areas in which European cooperation yields tangible results.

Referring to innovation, he said that artificial intelligence, advanced data analysis tools, and new technological applications are transforming the way law enforcement agencies operate. Europol, he added, plays a leading role in supporting member states so that they can harness these capabilities “in a manner that is effective and consistent with the EU’s fundamental principles.”

For his part, Police Chief Themistos Arnaoutis, noted that the meeting is taking place at a time when Cyprus is serving as Vice-Chair of the Europol Management Board, actively contributing to its work and to the formulation of the organization’s strategic guidelines.

Mr. Arnaoutis said that the security environment is constantly changing and that threats are becoming “more complex, faster-moving, and often transcend national borders.” For this reason, he added, cooperation among member states remains crucial, as no country can tackle phenomena with a strong cross-border dimension on its own.

He also noted that Europol has established itself as a valuable partner to EU member states by supporting national authorities, exchanging information, and providing specialized knowledge and expertise.

The Chief of Police also said that the meeting is of particular importance for Cyprus, as it is taking place at a time that coincides with the conclusion of Cyprus’s Presidency of the Council of the EU, highlighting the country’s ongoing commitment to strengthening European cooperation for the safety of citizens.

Cypriot Member of Parliament and Co-Chair of the Europol Joint Parliamentary Scrutiny Group, Dimitris Dimitriou, referred to the Group’s meeting held in Nicosia on February 4 and 5, noting that it provided Members of Parliament from across Europe with an opportunity for substantive dialogue, parliamentary oversight, and a deeper understanding of Europol’s work.

As he noted, the meeting focused, among other things, on Europol’s role in combating migrant smuggling, cybercrime, terrorism, drug trafficking, online sexual exploitation of children, and economic crime.

Mr. Dimitriou noted that the Joint Parliamentary Monitoring Group helps strengthen Europol’s accountability, and added that its next meeting will take place in early November 2026 in Brussels.

The Chair of Europol’s Management Board, Ireneusz Sienko, thanked Cyprus for hosting the meeting, noting that cooperation and the exchange of experiences are key elements in the effort to address threats in Europe and internationally.

Finally, Europol’s Acting Executive Director, Jurgen Ebner, thanked Cyprus for the achievements made during the Cypriot Presidency, referring, among other things, to the launch of the Center on the Smuggling of Migrants, the presentation of a report on the most threatening networks, discussions on the future of Europol, and the importance of parliamentary oversight.