Cyprus Times

EU Coordination Key to Combating Organized Crime, Says Cypriot Justice Minister

Published January 23, 2026, 16:13
EU Coordination Key to Combating Organized Crime, Says Cypriot Justice Minister

Minister of Justice Kostas Fytiris stated that coordination and the unification of forces between EU member states is the answer to organized crime. This emerged from the informal Ministerial Meeting on Internal Affairs and Justice, organized in Nicosia by the Cypriot Presidency of the Council of the EU. The Ministers agreed on the need for European solutions and coordinated action to address the modern challenges of justice, such as the recovery of assets from criminal activities, the protection of cultural heritage, and alternative penalties for minors. Organized crime in the EU is estimated at 188 billion euros, with a significant portion coming from drug trafficking, arms dealing, and extortion.