CYPRUS has implemented all measures set by the European Union to combat terrorism, an EU expert committee announced yesterday.
The seven-member committee has evaluated the island’s structure concerning the fight against terrorism and was impressed by the perfect security organisation they found.
Speaking at a news conference at police headquarters yesterday, officer of the EU Council General Secretariat Niels Bracke said the team was especially impressed by the marine police, the rapid reaction unit (MMAD) and its special anti-terrorist branch, and by the European co-ordination department that handled all issues concerning the bloc.
Bracke said he could not go into any detail since the evaluation was confidential.
He stressed, however, that the aim of the “peer evaluation” was not to criticise or judge the member-states but to learn and exchange views.
EUROPOL representative Peter Vergauwen said this was the tenth evaluation they were doing as a team and Cyprus came second, after Hungary, among the new member states.
“We found the most perfect organisation concerning security; we were impressed by the open and honest information we got during this week and the very professional presentation,” Vergauwen said.
Commission representative Manuel Rodriguez-Vico explained that their role was to monitor the implementation of the EU directives and “we are very glad to confirm that Cyprus has implemented the measures to combat terrorism”.
Vergauwen added: “The Cypriot police has shown a high level of professionalism and I am confident to say that that they are ready to respond to the EU demands.”
Police Chief Tasos Panayiotou said the team had carried out evaluations of the interior and justice ministries, the immigration department, the CID, the rapid reaction unit – which also put on a display by the special antiterrorist squad – and of the financial crime unit (MOKAS).
The team operates under Article 36 Committee (CATS), which is the most important committee in the justice and home affairs domain for preparing ministerial decisions on anti-terrorism measures.
CATS also gives instructions to the Council working party, which regroups national and European Commission officers dealing with anti-terrorism measures.
