The Cabinet has approved the country’s first National Anti-Fraud Strategy for the Protection of the Financial Interests of the European Union for the 2026-2031 period, together with a five-year Action Plan aimed at strengthening sound financial management, transparency and the protection of EU and public funds.
According to a press release issued on Friday by the Treasury of the Republic and Cyprus’ Anti-Fraud Coordination Service (AFCOS), the strategy seeks to establish a unified and coherent national framework for the prevention, detection, investigation, recovery and monitoring of fraud and irregularities affecting the EU’s financial interests.
The strategy covers both the expenditure and revenue sides of the EU budget, as well as key EU-funded sectors in Cyprus, including Cohesion Policy, the Common Agricultural Policy, the Common Fisheries Policy, Migration and Home Affairs, and the Recovery and Resilience Facility.
The strategy was prepared by AFCOS Cyprus with the support of the Treasury of the Republic, which serves as the body’s secretariat, and with technical assistance from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) under an EU-funded support project.
AFCOS Cyprus will play the central coordinating role in implementing the strategy. Its members include the Accountant General of the Republic as chair, the Attorney General, the Chief of Police, the Tax Commissioner, the Director of the Customs Department and the Commissioner for Agricultural Payments. The Auditor General and the Commissioner of Internal Audit will participate as independent observers.
The five-year Action Plan includes specific measures, timetables and monitoring indicators, with emphasis on risk assessment, stronger controls, staff training, improved reporting procedures, the use of digital tools and enhanced coordination among competent authorities.
Implementation of the strategy will be monitored through AFCOS Cyprus with biannual reviews and annual progress reports submitted to the Finance Minister and the Council of Ministers.
(Source: CNA)
