Cyprus and Qatar agree to expand security and justice cooperation

Doha, Qatar. Cyprus and Qatar agreed on Monday to deepen cooperation on justice and security, covering police training, efforts against organised crime, maritime security and sharing expertise.

Ministerial talks and coordination

During an official visit to Doha, Justice Minister Costas Fitiris held separate talks with Qatar’s Interior Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Justice Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Ibrahim bin Ali Al-Mohannadi.

According to the ministry, the meetings confirmed both countries’ commitment to working more closely together, prioritising practical steps and sharing expertise.

Fitiris and Qatar’s justice minister agreed to create an interministerial Cyprus-Qatar committee tasked with coordinating and advancing cooperation. Talks with the interior minister considered a comparable arrangement for areas within his remit.

Visits to Cyprus by both Qatari ministers will also be arranged to further strengthen relations between the countries.

Command facilities and judicial cooperation

The discussion with Sheikh Khalifa covered Qatar’s National Command Centre (NCC). The facility is of particular interest to Cyprus because its police force plans to establish a new Command, Control and Communications Centre (C3).

The talks with Al-Mohannadi addressed closer judicial cooperation, mediation programmes and efforts to combat financial crime. They also covered facilitating visits and the sharing of expertise between the relevant authorities.

The ministers considered ways to use more effectively the bilateral agreement on legal cooperation signed in 2014.

Global Security Forum

Fitiris also took part in the Global Security Forum 2026, held in Doha from October 19 to 21 with the theme The Future of Alliances.

The forum convenes government representatives and security specialists for discussions on current geopolitical developments, challenges to security and cooperation internationally.