The United States of America (USA), responding to the request of the President of the Republic, Mr. N. Christodoulidis, to further strengthen the capabilities of the Republic of Cyprus to deal with illegal financial activities, the US Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), with the support of the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the US Embassy in Nicosia, have established direct cooperation with the competent law enforcement authorities of the Republic of Cyprus to strengthen the capabilities of the Republic to detect and prosecute economic crime.
To this end, in the coming days the FBI and the Cyprus Police will sign a Memorandum of Understanding, formalizing the cooperation between the legal systems of the two countries, including the competent Law Enforcement Authorities, the Legal Service of the Republic and the Unit for Combating Cover-Up Crimes and Financial Information Unit (MOKAS).
Following on from existing efforts to address money laundering and sanctions evasion, the US Department of Justice will, within 2024, share its expertise with the relevant Cypriot authorities so that they can proactively identify, investigate and prosecute cases involving financial crimes related to Cyprus, and will provide relevant expertise; a significant US investment in Cyprus' capabilities.
By tightening bilateral relations, the Republic of Cyprus aims to further strengthen its efforts to combat money laundering and to protect the Cypriot legal system and economy.
The agencies of the US Ministry of Justice, as well as the other co-competent US Authorities, have responded to the request of the President of the Republic, Mr. Nikos Christodoulides.
The closer cooperation of the two legal systems is a positive development and both sides look forward to the results that this cooperation will bring.