COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2025 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2025 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union
Date: 2025-07-08
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Cyprus, administrative transparency, corruption, democracy, freedom of the press, human rights, independence of the judiciary, pluralism in the media, rule of law, whistleblowing

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Strasbourg, 8.7.2025  SWD(2025) 913 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2025 Rule of Law Report            Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus Accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions 2025 Rule of Law Report              The rule of law situation in the European Union {COM(2025) 900 final} - {SWD(2025) 901 final} - {SWD(2025) 902 final} - {SWD(2025) 903 final} - {SWD(2025) 904 final} - {SWD(2025) 905 final} - {SWD(2025) 906 final} - {SWD(2025) 907 final} - {SWD(2025) 908 final} - {SWD(2025) 909 final} - {SWD(2025) 910 final} - {SWD(2025) 911 final} - {SWD(2025) 912 final} - {SWD(2025) 914 final} - {SWD(2025) 915 final} - {SWD(2025) 916 final} - {SWD(2025) 917 final} - {SWD(2025) 918 final} - {SWD(2025) 919 final} - {SWD(2025) 920 final} - {SWD(2025) 921 final} - {SWD(2025) 922 final} - {SWD(2025) 923 final} - {SWD(2025) 924 final} - {SWD(2025) 925 final} - {SWD(2025) 926 final} - {SWD(2025) 927 final} - {SWD(2025) 928 final} - {SWD(2025) 929 final} - {SWD(2025) 930 final} - {SWD(2025) 931 final}  
 
 
ABSTRACT 

In Cyprus, the reform  of the Law  Office is  advancing,  with  the goal  of  providing a  clearer 
distinction  between  the  advisory  and  the  prosecutorial  functions  of  the  Attorney  General. 
With the reform, the Attorney General maintains its role as legal adviser of the state and head 
of  the  Law  Office,  while  the  powers  relating  to  the  prosecution  are  transferred  to  the  new 
institution of General Public Prosecutor. The Attorney General has requested the opinion of 
the Supreme Court in relation to the review of its decisions not to prosecute or to discontinue 
proceedings. The recently introduced judicial review of the decisions of the Supreme Council 
of  the  Judicature  reinforces  transparency  and  accountability.  Efforts  to  promote  the  use  of 
alternative  dispute  resolution,  including  the  modernisation  of  arbitration  law,  are  supported 
by  businesses.  The  level  of  digitalisation  remains  low  and  there  is  not  a  fully  functional 
integrated  electronic  case  management  system.  Challenges  regarding  resources  and 
infrastructure continue to affect the work of first instance judges. Τhe length of proceedings 
and backlogs remain a serious concern, in particular for civil and commercial cases, despite 
some  improvements.  Businesses  consider  the  operationalisation  of  the  Commercial  and 
Admiralty Courts to be necessary to avoid delays in the administration of justice. 

The resources of the Independent Authority against Corruption are being increased and there 
are  ongoing  discussions  in  Parliament  to  strengthen  the  functional  independence  of  this 
authority. A lot of work is being put into investigating high-level corruption cases and more 
investigations  have  been  initiated.  Important  efforts  are  being  made  to  step  up  capabilities 
through recruitment and training to address corruption. New legislation on asset declarations 
for  both  elected  and  appointed  officials  have  entered  into  force.  Compliance  with  and 
enforcement  of  the  law  on  lobbying  is  improving.  Implementation  of  integrity  rules  was 
strengthened through the appointment of a Special Ethics Adviser and a revision of the Code 
of Conduct for Civil Servants. Efforts are being made to improve the efficiency, transparency 
and accountability in public procurement. 

The  Cyprus  Radio  and  Television  Authority  operates  in  an  independent  manner.  The  legal 
framework relating to transparency of media ownership has not been improved. The lack of 
legislation and transparency in the field of state advertising, as well as the need to enhance 
the independent governance of public service media still need to be addressed. The situation 
as  regards  safety  of  journalists  has  improved;  however,  they  continue  to  experience 
precarious working conditions. 

The  effective  and  timely  consultation  of  stakeholders  has  significantly  improved,  including 
with the systematic use of the e-consultation platform. Businesses and investors see delays in 
the  law-making  process  and  in  adopting  implementing  acts  as  challenges.  The  Government 
put forward plans to reform the Audit Office, while questions remain around the appointment 
procedure  of  the  Auditor  General  and  his  Deputy.  Challenges  regarding  administrative 
requirements  for  Civil  Society  Organisations  persist,  while  efforts  to  revise  the  legal 
framework are still ongoing.   

1 

 
 
 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS 

Overall, concerning the recommendations in the 2024 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus has made: 

•  Some  further  progress  on  taking  forward  plans  to  adopt  legislation  aiming  to  provide  a 
clearer  distinction  between  the  advisory  and  the  prosecutorial  functions  of  the  Attorney 
General  and  limited  progress  on  taking  measures  to  establish  an  effective  review  of  its 
decisions  not  to  prosecute  or  to  discontinue  proceedings,  taking  into  account  European 
standards on independence and autonomy of the prosecution.   

•  Significant  progress  on  continuing  the  efforts  to  ensure  that  the  Independent  Authority 
against  Corruption  has  the  human  and  technical  resources  to  effectively  perform  its 
competences.  

•  Significant progress on ensuring the effective implementation of rules on asset disclosure 
for  elected  officials  to  establish  regular  and  comprehensive  filing,  combined  with 
effective, regular and full verifications.   

•  Limited  progress  on  adopting  legislation  to  ensure  fair  and  transparent  distribution  of 

advertising expenditure by the state and state-owned companies.  

•  Limited progress on further advancing with the process aimed at strengthening the rules 
and mechanisms  to  enhance the independent  governance of public service media taking 
into account European standards on public service media.   

•  Significant progress on ensuring the effective and timely  consultation of stakeholders in 

the legislative process and address shortcomings. 

On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference, 
in  addition  to  recalling  the  relevant  commitments  made  under  the  Recovery  and  Resilience 
Plan, it is recommended to Cyprus to: 

•  Further advance with the ongoing reform of the Law Office and the establishment of the 
Office of the Public Prosecutor General and establish an effective review of decisions not 
to  prosecute  or  to  discontinue  proceedings,  taking  into  account  European  standards  on 
independence and autonomy of the prosecution.    

•  Advance  with  the  legislative  reforms  to  strengthen  the  Independent  Authority  against 
Corruption  and  continue  efforts  to  ensure  it  has  the  human  and  technical  resources  to 
effectively perform its tasks.  

•  Adopt legislation to ensure fair and transparent distribution of advertising expenditure by 

the state and state-owned companies.  

•  Strengthen  the  rules  and  mechanisms  to  enhance  the  independent  governance  of  public 

service media taking into account European standards on public service media. 

•  Ensure  that  the  ongoing  reform  of  the  Audit  Office  introduces  safeguards  in  the 
appointment  procedure  to  enhance  the  independence  of  the  Auditor  General  and  the 
Deputy Auditor General.  

2 

 
 
 
I. 

JUSTICE SYSTEM1  

Independence  

The level of perceived judicial independence in Cyprus continues to be average among 
both the general public and companies. Overall, 42% of the general population and 44% of 
companies perceive the level of independence of courts and judges to be ‘fairly or very good’ 
in  20252.  Among  the  general  public,  this  figure  has  decreased  in  comparison  with  2024 
(49%),  as  well  as  in  comparison  with  2021  (48%).  The  perceived  judicial  independence 
among companies has decreased in comparison with 2024 (47%) and has slightly decreased 
in comparison with 2021 (45%). 

There  has  been  some  further  progress  on  the  recommendation  to  provide  a  clearer 
distinction  between  the  advisory  and  the  prosecutorial  functions  of  the  Attorney 
General.3. Following the completion of a comparative study in May 20244, the Ministry of 
Justice  prepared  a  package  of  legislative  proposals  aiming  to  separate  the  dual  role  of  the 
Attorney General and submitted them to the Law Office for legal vetting in November 2024 
and  April  20255.  According  to  the  proposal,  the  Attorney  General  will  maintain  its  role  as 
legal  adviser  of  the  state  and  head  of  the  Law  Office,  while  the  powers  relating  to  the 
prosecution  will  be  transferred  to  the  new  institution  of  General  Public  Prosecutor.  The 
proposal  also  foresees  an  eight-year,  non-renewable  tenure  for  both  officials  and  their 
deputies, who are appointed by the President of the Republic6. In June 2025, the Law Office 
completed the vetting following extensive redrafting of the bills taking into account a number 
of aspects  of the  reform7. The Council of Ministers approved the bills  on  2 July  2025, and 
they will now be submitted to Parliament. In parallel, the Government has been planning the 
administrative separation of the Law Office and the establishment of the new institution. In 
presenting  the  Governance  Agenda  for  2025,  the  President  of  the  Republic  referred  to  the 
implementation  of  the  reform  of  the  Law  Office  and  explained  that  this  was  important  to 
restore citizens’ trust in the institutions8. Stakeholders welcome the reform9. Thus, there has 

1   An overview of the institutional framework for all four pillars can be found here.  
2   Figures 51 and 53, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard and Figures  49 and 51, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard. The 
level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  is  categorised  as  follows:  very  low  (below  30%  of  respondents 
perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-
59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%). 

3   The 2024 Rule of Law Report recommended to Cyprus to take forward plans to adopt legislation aiming to 
provide a clearer distinction between the advisory and the prosecutorial functions of the Attorney General. 

4   2024 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, p. 4.  
5   The initial package included two main bills (one amending the Constitution and one proposing a new law) 
and twenty-five bills revising existing legislation that is impacted by the creation of the Office of the General 
Public Prosecutor. Additional bills were submitted in April 2025 to complete the list of existing legislation 
that needs to be revised in view of the planned reform.   

6   The Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General are currently appointed under the same conditions as the 

judges of the Supreme Court; their term of office is until they reach their 68th year of age.  

7   The Law Office had previously referred to the constitutionality of the proposed reform and the status of the 
prosecutors  and  legal  officers  to  be  eventually  transferred  to  the  Office  of  the  General  Public  Prosecutor; 
Cypriot  Government  (2025a).  In  the  context  of  the  legal  vetting,  the  Attorney  General  also  reviewed  the 
opinions  of  a  committee  of  experts  and  two  former  Supreme  Court  judges  on  the  constitutionality  of  the 
reform. Law Office (2025), written input, AG pp. 2-4. 

8   Cypriot Government, Ministry of Justice and Public Order (2025), written inputs, pp. 3-4, and 1 respectively. 

3 

 
 
 
been  some  further  progress  on  the  implementation  of  this  specific  element  of  the 
recommendation made in previous years. 

There has been limited progress on the recommendation to establish an effective review 
of  the  decisions  of  the  Attorney  General  not  to  prosecute  or  to  discontinue 
proceedings10. The proposal, which was submitted by the Government to the Law Office for 
legal vetting in November 2024, foresees that the decisions of the General Public Prosecutor 
should be based on predefined criteria, the application of which may be subject to review by 
the Supreme Court. The Attorney General considered the proposed provisions incomplete and 
expressed reservations as to the introduction of a judicial review11. He therefore requested the 
opinion of the Supreme Court,  which expressed  its views on 17 June 202512. The matter is 
now  under  examination  by  the  Ministry  of  Justice  and  Public  Order.  In  parallel,  the  Law 
Office suspended plans to establish an internal procedure of review, waiting for the outcome 
of the planned reform13. On different occasions, both the Supreme Constitutional Court and 
the  Supreme  Court  reiterated  the  established  case-law  that  under  the  existing  constitutional 
framework,  decisions  of  the  Attorney  General  to  discontinue  criminal  proceedings  are  not 
subject  to  any control14. Civil  society considers the review of the decisions of the Attorney 
General the most important aspect of the reform15. Thus, there has been limited progress on 
the implementation of this specific element of the recommendation made in previous years. 

The recently introduced judicial review of the decisions of the Supreme Council of the 
Judicature reinforces transparency and accountability. In September 2024, the Supreme 
Constitutional  Court  exercised,  for  the  first  time,  the  powers  conferred  on  it  by  the  last 
judicial reform16, and ruled on two requests for review submitted by unsuccessful candidates 
against decisions of the Supreme Council of Judicature on judicial appointments. In the first 
case, the Supreme Constitutional Court upheld the appealed decision, whereas in the second 
case, the Court set aside the decision and concluded that the appointment process had to be 
reopened17.  The  judgments  were  welcomed  by  stakeholders  as  enhancing  transparency  and 
public trust18.  

Plans  to  establish  a  distinct  branch  of  administrative  justice  with  a  separate  Judicial 
Council aim to rationalise the structure of the court system and improve its functioning. 

9   The  Cyprus  Bar  Association  considers  that  reforms  should  be  encouraged  but  with  full  respect  of 
constitutional norms, Cyprus Bar Association (2025), written input, pp. 8-9; Country visit Cyprus, Oxygen 
for democracy, OPEK and CiREN.  

10   The 2024 Rule of Law Report recommended to Cyprus to “take measures to establish an effective review of 
the  decisions  of  the  Attorney  General  not  to  prosecute  or  to  discontinue  proceedings,  taking  into  account 
European standards on independence and autonomy of the prosecution”. 

11   The Attorney General considers that judicial review would further burden the heavy workload of the courts, 
and that a hierarchical review would be more appropriate. Law Office (2025), written input, pp. 2-4; Cyprus 
Forum (2024); Legal Matters (2025), Interview with the Attorney General, Part B, 16 January (2025).  

12   Law Office (2025), additional written contribution, p.1. 
13   On preliminary comments regarding the internal review, 2024 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, pp. 5-6. 
14   Supreme Constitutional Court (Plenary), Request 1/2024, 18 September 2024, p.188; Supreme Court, Civil 

Appeal 240/2016, 13 January 2025, pp 3-6.  

15   Country visit Cyprus, Oxygen for democracy, OPEK, CiREN and CroLEV. 
16   The introduction of judicial review against the decisions taken by the Supreme Council of the Judicature was 
welcomed as a positive development by both the European Commission and the Venice Commission. 2023 
Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, p. 5; CDL-AD(2021)043, para. 56.  

17   Cypriot Government (2025), written input, pp. 9-10. 
18   Country visit Cyprus, Supreme Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Association of judges and Cyprus Bar 

Association; Oxygen for democracy (2025), written input, p. 8. 

4 

 
 
 
Under the current regime, the decisions regarding careers and disciplinary issues for judges 
dealing with administrative cases at first and second instance are taken by the Supreme Court 
acting as the Supreme Council of the Judicature19. However, this structure does not follow the 
substantive jurisdiction of these courts, as the Supreme Constitutional Court is competent for 
administrative  cases.  Following  a  proposal  by  the  President  of  the  Supreme  Constitutional 
Court,  the  Government  put  forward  plans  to  establish  (i)  a  new  Administrative  Court  of 
Appeal, consisting of up to six judges; and (ii) a second Judicial Council responsible for the 
appointment,  promotion,  transfer  and  discipline  of  administrative  court  judges.  The 
composition and functioning of the new Judicial Council would mirror the existing provisions 
for the Supreme Council for the Judicature: it will be composed of all the nine judges of the 
Supreme Constitutional Court and four non-judicial members. Its decisions will be subject to 
judicial  review  by  the  Supreme  Court20.  Judges  and  lawyers  consider  that  this  reform  will 
enhance the governance and accountability of administrative justice as well as the quality of 
case-law21.  

Quality  

Efforts to promote the use of alternative dispute resolution, including the modernisation 
of arbitration law, are supported by businesses. Considering the current framework not to 
be  fit  for  purpose,  in  August  2024,  the  Government  put  forward  draft  legislation  aiming  to 
unify and modernise the arbitration institution. This is part of a plan to establish Cyprus as an 
International Centre for Mediation and Arbitration and to restore its reputation as a reliable 
investment  destination.  The  Government  also  submitted  to  Parliament  draft  bills  aiming  to 
make  mediation  in  civil  disputes  more  effective.  The  bills  unify  the  existing  mediators’ 
registers,  introduce  mandatory  training  for  mediators  as  well  as  a  compulsory  preliminary 
mediation session for claims less than EUR 5 00022. The Bar Association  made suggestions 
to  further  amend  the  rules  on  compulsory  mediation  to  ensure  access  to  justice  and  avoid 
unnecessary  costs  for  litigants23.  The  promotion  of  alternative  procedures  for  resolving 
disputes  is  seen  as  a  positive  development24.  Business  representatives  and  lawyers  strongly 
support  efforts  to  promote  alternative  dispute  resolution.  Both,  the  Chamber  of  Commerce 
and Industry and the Bar Association offer mediation services and agree that promotion and 
trainings are necessary to achieve a swift change in culture25. 

The  level  of  digitalisation  remains  low  and  there  is  not  a  fully  functional  integrated 
electronic  case  management  system.  The  Supreme  Court  adopted  new  procedural 
regulations  on  electronic  justice,  which  provide  a  unified  legal  framework  for  the 

19   The  non-judicial members of the Supreme Council of the  Judicature  do not participate in disciplinary  and 

transfer proceedings, while they have no voting rights for issues regarding promotions of judges.  

20   Cypriot Government, Ministry of Justice and Public Order (2025), written inputs, pp. 18 and 2 respectively. 
21   Country visit Cyprus, Supreme Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, Association of judges and Cyprus Bar 
Association. The Bar Association also underlined the need to implement this structural change in a manner 
compatible with constitutional constraints. 

22   Cypriot government and Ministry of Justice and Public Order (2025), written inputs, pp. 17-18 and p. 2. 
23   The Bar Association suggested that if mediation fails and the case ends before a court, it should be exempted 

from the mandatory pre-action protocol introduced by the new Civil Procedure. 

24   Judgment of the CJEU, case C-75/16, Menini and Rampanelli v Banco Popolare Società Cooperativa, para 
51;  European  Commission  (2016),  Report  on  the  application  of  Directive  2008/52/EC  of  the  European 
Parliament and of the Council on certain aspects of mediation in civil and commercial matters. 

25   Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Cyprus Bar Association (2025), written inputs, pp. 4 and 6-

7 respectively. 

5 

 
 
 
digitalisation of justice26. However, criminal proceedings and proceedings before the highest 
courts  lack  digital  solutions27.  The  failure  to  implement  the  e-justice  case  management 
system has resulted in delays and setbacks in digital transformation: The decision to upgrade 
the  existing  i-justice  system  is  a  positive  development,  but  its  implementation  will  not  be 
completed before 202828. Progress regarding digital recordings was postponed29. The absence 
of  a  fully  digitalised  case  management  system  also  exacerbates  challenges  regarding  the 
collection  of  statistics30,  as  well  as  the  implementation  of  a  rotation-based  system  for  the 
legal  aid  scheme31.  Reluctance  to  adopt  innovative  solutions  and  technological  tools  for 
handling cases impacts first instance courts the most32. 

Challenges  regarding  resources  and  infrastructure  continue  to  affect  the  work  of  first 
instance  judges.  Following  the  reform  of  the  courts  structure,  the  number  of  experienced 
first instance judges moving to higher courts left several vacancies which are difficult to fill. 
Several  stakeholders  noted  a  continued  lack  of  qualified  candidates33.  Lawyers  note  that 
under  the  current  system,  candidates  for  judicial  positions  must  have  experience  in  several 
fields  of  law,  which  is  difficult  to  find.  The  Bar  Association  considers  that  flexibility  to 
recruit  also  more  specialised  judges,  and  the  permanent  separation  of  civil  and  criminal 
courts,  would  allow  judicial  vacancies  to  be  filled  faster,  and  cases  to  be  handled  more 
efficiently34. Experienced court staff, including registrars, were also transferred from district 
courts  to  the  Court  of  Appeal  following  the  reform.  As  a  result,  judges  need  to  regularly 
undertake  administrative  tasks.  Plans  to  establish  an  Independent  Court  Service  aiming  to 
improve the overall efficiency of justice and alleviate all court presidents and Supreme Court 
judges  from  non-judicial  administrative  responsibilities  are  currently  underway  but  are 
expected  to  take  a  lot  of  time  to  complete35.  Judges  and  lawyers  also  point  to  the  need  to 
improve  court  premises,  particularly  in  the  district  court  of  Nicosia.  The  Law  Office  also 
faces challenges regarding its buildings36. 

26   Supreme Court (2025), written input, pp. 10-13. 
27   See also, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard, Figures 42 to 46. 
28  For  the  i-justice,  see  also,  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Cyprus,  pp.  7-8.  The  Supreme  Court  requested  the 
Deputy  Ministry  of  Research,  Innovation  and  Digital  Policy  to  implement  several  other  digitalisation 
projects. These projects are supported by the Ministry but delays in implementation stem from contractual 
and human resources related constraints.  

29   Country visit Cyprus, Department of Judicial Reform. 
30   Judicial statistics are collected manually. Country visit Cyprus, Department of Judicial Reform. Lawyers and 
civil  society  complain  that  statistics  are  limited  and  not  publicly  available.  Cyprus  Bar  Association  and 
Oxygen for democracy (2025), written inputs, p. 4 and pp. 7, 9 and 13 respectively.   

31   The proposed rotation-based system for legal aid (see 2023 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, p. 10) could only 
be  applied  for  cases  regarding  requests  for  international  protection,  as  these  cases  are  handled by  a  single 
court and a single  registry. Given the lack of an  electronic system, it was  initially  impossible for criminal 
cases,  where  different  courts  where  involved.  Cypriot  government  (2025),  written  input,  pp.  20-21.  The 
Government together with the Supreme Court and the Bar is in the process of finding solutions to extend the 
system to all categories of legal aid and to upgrade it to a fully digitalised system. 

32   Cyprus Bar Association (2025), written input, pp. 3-4; CCBE (2025), written input, pp. 44-46. 
33   Country visit Cyprus, Cyprus Judges Association, Supreme Court, Supreme Constitutional Court.  
34   Cyprus  Bar  Association  (2025),  written  input,  p.  4.  On  specialization  of  judges,  also  ENNHRI  (2025), 

Cyprus, p. 86. 

35   Country visit Cyprus, Department of Reform of the Supreme Court. 
36  Law Office (2025), written input, p. 9.  

6 

 
 
 
Efficiency 

Τhe length of proceedings and backlog remain serious concerns, in particular for civil 
and  commercial  cases,  despite  some  improvements.  The  disposition  time  in  civil  and 
commercial  cases  at  first  instance  courts  further  decreased  from  761  days  in  2022  (947  in 
2021) to 605 in 2023, but it remains among the highest in the EU. For administrative cases, 
the disposition time dropped at first instance cases from 461 days in 2022 (844 days in 2021) 
to 380 days in 2023, which constitutes overall a significant improvement. However, at second 
instance, the disposition time in 2023 for administrative cases reached the alarming level of 5 
429 days (more than double the figure of 2 310 days in 2022), which is by far the highest in 
the EU37. The extremely high disposition time is partly explained by the new court structure 
and  the  establishment  of  a  Court  of  Appeal  in  July  2023,  which  entailed  delays  in  the 
handling  of  appeals38.  In  2023,  the  clearance  rate  for  civil,  commercial  and  administrative 
cases increased to 118% (from 101% in 2022) and is the highest in the EU39. The government 
is  taking  steps  to  reduce  delays,  including  proposals  to  establish  a  separate  Administrative 
Court of Appeal, with the potential of increasing the number of second instance judges 40, and 
establish  a  third  Assize  Court  in  Nicosia41.  The  targets  set  by  the  National  Recovery  and 
Resilience  Plan have been reached  and surpassed and  the Supreme Court  continued to  deal 
efficiently  with  an  important  number  of  backlog  cases.  However,  the  backlog  at  first  and 
second instance remains significant42. All stakeholders see preventing new backlogs as being 
the priority, and one proposal is some judges to work exclusively on backlog cases43.  

Businesses consider the operationalisation of the Commercial and Admiralty Courts to 
be  necessary  to  avoid  delays  in  the  administration  of  justice.  The  major  reform  of  the 
judicial system in 2023 provided for two courts of special jurisdiction aiming to support the 
decongestion  of  the  heavily  burdened  district  courts  and  provide  for  a  faster  resolution  of 
high  value  commercial  and  admiralty  disputes  by  specialised  judges44.  However,  neither 
court  is  yet  operational.  While  the  vacancies  for  the  Admiralty  Court  were  published  in 
September  2024,  no  appointments  for  the  five  judges  of  the  Commercial  Court  have  taken 
place45.  According  to  business  representatives,  the  entry  into  operations  of  the  Commercial 
Court should be a priority, as delays in the administration of justice are a major concern for 
companies  and  serve  as  a  deterrent  to  business  growth,  with  SMEs  particularly  affected46. 
The  International  Monetary  Fund  also  pointed  that  the  improving  the  efficiency  of  the 
judicial  sector  in  Cyprus  is  essential  to  support  investment-driven  growth47.  The  Bar 
Association considers that the high number of experienced lawyers dealing with commercial 
law in Cyprus should facilitate finding suitable candidates for the judicial positions48.   

37  2025 EU Justice Scoreboard, Figure 8. 
38   Country visit, Department of Reform of the Supreme Court. 
39   2025 EU Justice Scoreboard, Figures 5, 8, 9 and 10. 
40  The  Supreme  Court  also  proposed  to  maintain  the  number  of  judges  at  the  Court  of  Appeal  at  sixteen  in 

addition to the new judges to be appointed at the new Administrative Court of Appeal.  

41   Nicosia faces a heavy caseload. Country visit Cyprus, Supreme Court. 
42   The  project  requires  that  specific  proportions  of  backlog  cases  be  cleared  within  specific  timeframes,  see 

2024 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, p. 10.  

43   Cyprus Bar Association (2025), written input, p. 3. 
44   2023 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, pp. 11-12.  
45   Cypriot Government (2025), input, p. 4. 
46   Country visit Cyprus, Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation; Chamber of Commerce and Industry. 
47   IMF (2025), Cyprus: Staff Concluding Statement of the 2025 Article IV Mission. 
48   Country visit Cyprus, Cyprus Bar Association. 

7 

 
 
 
Efforts are being made by the Government to remove legal obstacles in enforcing court 
judgments  between  private  parties.  Delays  and  difficulties  in  enforcing  final  judgments, 
which have been delivered after long lasting proceedings, are an additional challenge for the 
efficiency of justice. The Bar Association refers to difficulties in seizing funds and personal 
assets, as well as to the need to entrust enforcement to private professionals49. In April 2025, 
the  Government  submitted  to  Parliament  a  draft  bill  aiming  to  address  these  concerns  and 
improve  the  legal  framework50.  The  Government  made  a  proposal  to  address  previously 
reported  challenges  regarding  the  administration’s  failure  to  comply  with  decisions  of 
administrative  courts,  but  additional  legal  issues  were  raised  by  the  Law  Office  and  the 
Supreme Constitutional Court51.  

II. 

ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK  

The  perception  among  experts,  citizens  and  business  executives  is  that  the  level  of 
corruption  in  the  public  sector  remains  relatively  high.  In  the  2024  Corruption 
Perceptions Index by Transparency International, Cyprus scores 56/100 and ranks 16th in the 
European Union and 46th globally52. This perception has been relatively stable over the past 
five years53. The 2025 Special Eurobarometer on Corruption shows that 90% of respondents 
consider corruption widespread in their country (EU average 69%) and 60% of respondents 
feel  personally  affected  by  corruption  in  their  daily  lives  (EU  average  30%).  As  regards 
businesses, 93%  of companies consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 63%) and 
66%  consider  that  corruption  is  a  problem  when  doing  business  (EU  average  35%). 
Furthermore, 15% of respondents find that there are enough successful prosecutions to deter 
people  from  corrupt  practices  (EU  average  36%),  while  10%  of  companies  believe  that 
people  and  businesses  caught  for  bribing  a  senior  official  are  appropriately  punished  (EU 
average 33%)54. 

Significant  progress was made on the recommendation to increase the resources of the 
Independent Authority against Corruption (IAAC) and proposals to reform the IAAC’s 
functional independence are under discussion55. The IAAC’s staff increased from 5 over 
the past year to 18, despite an administrative budget that is 2.5% lower than last year, in line 
with similar reductions across the public sector, as this does not affect its human resources’ 
budget56. The fact that the IAAC has no legal basis to recruit its own (permanent) staff and 

49   Cyprus Bar Association (2025), written input, p. 2. 
50   Cypriot Government (2025) additional written contribution.  
51   2024 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, p. 27.  Whereas the Constitution provides that the Administrative Court, 
the  Court  of  Appeal  and  the  Supreme  Constitutional  Court  are  empowered  to  impose  sanctions  on  any 
person not complying with a judgment, this power remains unregulated in law. Figure 49, 2025 EU Justice 
Scoreboard. 

52   The level of perceived corruption is categorised as follows: low (above 79); relatively low (between 79-60), 

relatively high (between 59-50), high (below 50). 

53   In 2020 the score was 57, while in 2024, the score is 56. The score significantly increases/decreases when it 
changes  more  than  five  points;  improves/deteriorates  (changes  between  4-5  points);  is  relatively  stable 
(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years. 

54   Data from Special Eurobarometer 561 (2025) and Flash Eurobarometer 557 (2025).  
55   The  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report  recommended  to  Cyprus  to  “continue  the  efforts  to  ensure  that  the 
Independent Authority against Corruption has the human and technical resources to effectively perform its 
competences”. 

56   IAAC (2025), written input, p. 23. The 18 include the Commissioner for Transparency and 4 Members. Most 
requests  for  secondments  of  public  servants  were  denied  by  their  managers.  The  IAAC  raised  its  lack  of 
human resources and the need to speed up employment processes with the OECD (Nicosia, 25 November 
2024). 

8 

 
 
 
relies mainly on short-term public contractual staff creates uncertainty and could undermine 
the  continuity  of  operations  and  the  confidentiality  of  investigations.  The  Law  Office  is 
currently  legally  vetting  a  bill,  to  allow  the  IAAC  to  hire  permanent  staff  through  its  own 
internal  rules  and  procedures,  which  has  the  support  of  the  Government.  The  bill  will  be 
submitted  to  the  Ministry  by  the  middle  of  July  202557.  In  parallel,  a  bill  was  tabled  in 
Parliament to  reform  the IAAC and to  turn it into a public law entity  that  would ensure its 
complete  independence  from  state  institutions58.  These  proposals,  if  adopted,  would 
significantly  strengthen  and  improve  the  IAAC’s  functional  and  operational  independence. 
This  would  help  it  respond  to  the  increasing  number  of  complaints  that  it  receives  and 
processes59 and its additional role in monitoring compliance with lobbying regulation. There 
has therefore been significant progress on the implementation of the recommendation made 
in the 2024 Rule of Law Report.  

The IAAC is implementing an Awareness, Education and Prevention Strategy.  In 2025, 
the  IAAC  started  implementing  an  Anti-Corruption  Action  Plan  for  2025  and  2026.  It 
includes  a  coherent  framework  of  actions,  interventions  and  projects,  aimed  at  educating 
citizens about the risks of corruption and strengthening public and private sector and general 
public oversight and accountability through activities and trainings. The IAAC also intends to 
help  public  authorities  develop  sectoral  anti-corruption  strategies60.  In  2024,  the  IAAC 
forwarded  one  major  report  on  suspected  corruption  to  the  Attorney  General  for  further 
investigation. It is currently dealing with eight ongoing corruption investigations (compared 
to  4  last  year).  Measures  encouraging  the  private  sector  to  implement  international  best 
practices and compliance programmes, including on foreign bribery, will also be taken under 
the purview of the Ministry of Justice. 

A  lot  of  work  is  being  put  into  investigating  high-level  corruption  cases  and  more 
investigations have been initiated. The Anti-Corruption Taskforce, that operates under the 
Attorney  General’s  remit,  continued  to  supervise  the  investigation  and  prosecution  of 
corruption  offences,  including  high-level  cases,  and  organised  training  on  asset  recovery. 
This expertise has been crucial, resulting in an amount of more than EUR 8 million of frozen 
assets  obtained  in  domestic  cases  in  2024,  a  marked  increase  compared  to  the  previous 
years61. In 2024, a total of five persons were convicted for corruption offences in four tried 
cases and the Police investigated 13 corruption cases, including in high-level corruption cases 
(compared  to  three  convictions  and  five  investigations  the  previous  year).  Six  new 
investigations  were  initiated  in  2025.  A  significant  number  of  mostly  low-level  corruption 
cases  involving  local  administration  and  authorities  were  also  reported.  Fourteen  cases  on 
sports  corruption  were  initiated  or  tried  in  2024,  while  an  investigation  into  a  high  ranking 
sports  official  that  begun  in  late  2023  is  still  ongoing62.  Many  of  the  15  prosecutions  for 

57  The  bill,  prepared  by  the  Office  of  the  Law  Commissioner,  proposes  to  amend  Law  19(I)2022,  that 

established the IAAC, and the Public Service Law 1/1990.   

58   IAAC, Ministry of Justice and Parliament (2025), written inputs, pp. 23-24, p. 4 and p. 2 respectively. 
59   Between 2022 and 2024, the IAAC received more than 315 complaints (209 reported in July 2024).  
60   Cypriot Government (2025), written input, pp. 25-26, IAAC (2025) press release, and Country visit Cyprus, 

IAAC.  

61   Law Office (2025), written input, p. 10 and country visit Cyprus, Police. 
62   Of the 13 police investigations, eight were brought before the court, three of which included cases against a 
city  mayor,  a  president  of  an  NGO,  and  two  high-ranking  church  officials.  Cypriot  Government  and  Law 
Office (2025), written inputs, pp. 31-32, pp. 11, 12 and 14 respectively and additional written input p.7.   

9 

 
 
 
corruption linked to the now suspended Citizenship Investor Programme (CIP)63, initiated by 
the Attorney General, are still ongoing and 26 natural and legal persons are currently being 
prosecuted64. The EPPO investigated one corruption case in 2024, accounting for around 4% 
of  the  total  number  of  EPPO  cases  in  Cyprus65.  Civil  society  have  expressed  continued 
concerns about systemic weaknesses, investigative and prosecutorial delays, and a perceived 
lack of impartiality in the way high-level cases are dealt with, advocating for more effective 
checks and balances and the need for more specialisation and resources66. 

Important  efforts  are  being  made  through  recruitment  and  training  to  step  up  law 
enforcement  capabilities  to  address  corruption.  In  October  2024,  the  President  of  the 
Republic  convened  a  high-level  meeting  with  key  authorities  to  tackle  the  challenges  of 
corruption  and  organised  crime,  speed  up  investigations,  and  increase  the  investigative  and 
forensic accounting capacity of the police, under new leadership since September 202467. The 
staff of the Financial Crime Sub-Directorate of the Cyprus Police only increased by one over 
the past year and there are plans to hire additional investigators in 2025, especially forensic 
accountants,  deemed  crucial  for  asset  recovery.  Additionally,  in  early  2025,  a  new  District 
Financial  Crime  Investigation  Office  was  establised  in  Paphos  with  five  specialised 
investigators68.  In  2024,  the  Police  acquired  direct  access  to  the  Land  Registry  and  the 
Companies  Ultimate  Beneficial  Owners  Registry  which  should  enhance  their  investigative 
capacity  and  efficiency,  also  when  cooperating  with  other  Member  States69.    The  Police 
Internal  Affairs  Service  (PIAS)  continued  to  actively  investigate  allegations  of  police 
misconduct. So far in 2025, it has examined 10 reports of possible police involvement in acts 
of corruption (compared to 22 in 2024). Of these, three cases involving two members of the 

63   The  scheme’s  legal  framework  has  not  been  abolished  yet.  The  infringement  procedure  launched  by  the 
Commission in October 2020 concerning Cyprus’ scheme is ongoing. Following the judgment of the Court 
of  Justice  in  Case  C-181/23,  finding  that  the  Maltese  investor  citizenship  scheme  breaches  EU  law,  the 
Commission sent a letter to Cyprus asking it what conclusions it has drawn from this judgment for  its own 
scheme.  

64   A 2022 trial, involving the former Speaker of Parliament and a former Member of Parliament, is ongoing. A 
high-profile criminal case was recently filed before the court that includes two former Ministers and various 
charges,  including  corruption  and  money  laundering.  In  a  case  filed  in  June  2021,  nine  defendants  were 
acquitted but are now facing retrial following a successful appeal by the Attorney General. Another appeal in 
a similar case is ongoing. An investigation by the IAAC into the Citizenship Investor Programme involving 
allegations against prominent political figures and former ministers is in a preliminary phase. If evidence of 
criminal  liability  is  found,  the  report  and  its  conclusions  will  be  forwarded  to  the  Attorney  General.  Law 
Office  (2025),  written  input,  pp.  12-14  and  additional  written  input  pp.  7-8.  See  also  2024  Rule  of  Law 
Report, Cyprus, p. 16. 

65   EPPO  (2025),  Annual  Report  2024,  p.  23.  In  July  2024,  EPPO  opened  an  investigation  into  a  liquefied 
natural gas (LNG) import terminal project, on suspicion of procurement fraud, misappropriation of EU funds 
and corruption, following a referral from the Audit Office. Country visit, Cyprus, Audit Office.   

66   Country visit, Cyprus, Oxygen for Democracy and CIREN. Oxygen for Democracy (2025), written input pp. 

7, 24-25.  

67   The  Minister  of  Justice,  the  Attorney  General,  the  Chief  of  Police,  the  Head  of  the  FIU,  and  the  Tax 

Commissioner participated in the meeting. 

68   The Financial Crime Sub-Directorate of the Police consists of 30 members (25 specialized investigators and 
5 forensic accountants). Competitions for new hires in the Cyprus Police are ongoing (some 200 applicants 
with  another  200  confirmed  for  the  summer).  There  are  now  three  District  Financial  Crime  Investigation 
Offices  in  Nicosia,  Limassol  and  Paphos  with  nine,  seven  and  five  specialised  investigators  respectively. 
Cypriot Government and Law Office (2025), written input, p. 26 and pp. 10-11 respectively and additional 
written input p. 6. Country visit Cyprus, Police and Law Office.   

69   Throughout  2024,  financial  crime  investigators  took  part  in  training  with  their  counterparts  from  the  US 
Federal Bureau of Investigation to improve their expertise and enable information exchange. Country visit 
Cyprus, Cypriot Police.  

10 

 
 
 
police have led to criminal prosecution and are pending trial before the Court, while six cases 
are pending invesigation70.  

Significant  progress  was  made  on  the  recommendation  on  asset  declarations  with  the 
entry  into  force  of  new  legislation  for  both  elected  and  appointed  officials71.  Two  laws 
establishing standards for regular and detailed asset declarations and audits for both  elected 
and appointed officials (including politically exposed persons or ‘PEPs’) entered into force in 
November  2024  and  March  202572.  Both  laws  oblige  officials  to  declare  assets  within  four 
months  after  taking  office  and  four  months  after  leaving  office  and  to  periodically  submit 
statements showing any differentiation of assets during their tenure. The submission of asset 
declarations  of  parliamentarians  and  the  President  and  ministers  under  the  new  law  will  be 
triggered  following  the  2026  parliamentary  elections  and  2028  Presidential  elections 
respectively  or  at  any  date  prior  if  the  position  of  an  elected  or  appointed  official  becomes 
vacant  before  the  end  of  their  tenure73.    The  Special  Parliamentary  Committee  (for  the 
President,  Ministers  and  Parliamentarians)  and  the  three-member  Council  (for  certain 
officials  and PEPs) retained responsibility for the laws’ monitoring and  oversight,  as under 
the  previous  framework74.  Nevertheless,  some  stakeholders  have  concerns  that  despite  the 
improved legal framework, certain gaps in the new system remain75. Meanwhile, on 8 May 
2025, the Parliament voted on two proposals amending the PEPs law, approving the extention 
of  the  law’s  scope  to  the  Chairman  and  Members  of  the  Tax  Tribunal  and  rejecting  the 
exemption  of  the  Chairman  and  Members  of  the  Advisory  Council  from  its  scope76.  There 
were  no  reported  violations  of  declarations  made  in  2024.  With  the  enactment  of  the  new 
laws on asset declaration, significant  progress has been made on the recommendation made 
last year.   

70  To date, the PIAS has received 51 reports  against the police of which 10 were of investigative interest. In 
2024, the PIAS received 94 reports, of which 22 were of investigative interest.  Two cases involving police 
members were brought before the Court in 2024. Cypriot Government (2025), written input and additional 
written input from the Cyprus Police, pp. 31 and 7 respectively.  

71   The 2024 Rule of Law Report recommended to Cyprus to “Ensure the effective implementation of rules on 
asset disclosure for elected officials to establish regular and comprehensive filing, combined with effective, 
regular and full verifications”. 

72   Law of 2024 (N. 112(I)/2024) covers the President, Ministers and Members of Parliament. Law of 2024 (N. 
137(I)/2024) covers certain officials and certain politically exposed persons, including the Attorney General, 
Auditor  General,  Chief  of  Police  and  their  Deputies.  In  November  2024,  in  a  referral  brought  by  the 
President,  the  Supreme  Constitutional  Court  ruled  that  the  Attorney  General  and  the  Deputy  Attorney 
General fall within the scope of the PEP law. This procedure delayed the law’s adoption and its entry into 
force. The enactment of these laws also responds to GRECO recommendations in the 5th and 4th Evaluation 
Rounds.  Cypriot  Government,  Ministry  of  Justice  and  Public  Order,  Law  Office  and,  Parliament  (2025), 
written inputs p. 28, pp. 5-6, p. 16, and pp. 3-6 respectively.   

73   Country visit Cyprus, Parliament Secretariat. 
74   The  spouses/partners  and  dependents  of  elected  and  appointed  officials  are  required  to  submit  but  not 
publish asset declarations. The judiciary’s declarations are covered by a separate legal framework issued by 
the  Supreme  Constitutional  and  Supreme  Courts  and  are  not  published.  Civil  society  considers  the 
judiciary’s  exclusion  from  the  scope  of  the  new  laws  as  a  gap  in  transparency.  Oxygen  for  Democracy 
(2025), written input, p. 20.  

75   In  their  assessment,  a  group  of  certified  public  accountants  noted  that,  despite  its  improvements,  the  new 
system still has certain gaps e.g., it does not create an independent oversight and audit body with technical 
expertise and places a big workload on the office of the Tax Commissioner.   

76   According  to  the  Explanatory  Note  accompanying  the  proposal,  the  Chairman  and  Members  of  the  Tax 
Tribunal  were  unintentionally  left  out  of  the  principal  Law  while  the  Chairman  and  Members  of  the 
Advisory Council are not considered to be officials or PEPs within the meaning of the said Law. Parliament 
and Ministry of Justice and Public Order (2025), written contribution in the context of the country visit to 
Cyprus.  

11 

 
 
 
register. 

lobbying 

law  and  maintaining 

the  publicly  available 

Compliance with the law on lobbying is improving and stakeholders have welcomed the 
increased  transparency.  The  IAAC  is  responsible  for  implementing  and  enforcing  the 
lobbying 
Interest 
representatives and public officials must report their meetings and the subjects discussed to 
the  IAAC.  Over  the  past  year,  registrations  of  lobbyists  increased  significantly  with  184 
entries as of the end of May 2025. During 2024-2025, ninety-five meetings were reported to 
the IAAC. While lobbyists and officials are required to submit reports of their contacts to the 
IAAC, these are not public. Sanctions can be imposed on both lobbyists and public officials 
for  failure  to  comply  with  their  obligations77.  The  IAAC  is  satisfied  with  adherence  to  the 
rules  by  both  lobbyists  and  public  officials.  The  IAAC  prepared  a  tender  to  digitalise  the 
registration  and  monitoring  procedures,  which  the  Department  of  Information  Technology 
Services  is  currently  reviewing78.  The  private  sector  and  civil  society  have  welcomed  the 
improvements  to  the  lobbying  rules,  which  help  provide  a  level  playing  field  for  market 
players  to  gain  access  to  public  officials,  as  well  as  improve  transparency  in  decision-
making79.  

Implementation  of  integrity  rules  was  strengthened  through  the  appointment  of  a 
Special Ethics Adviser and a revision to the the Code of Conduct for Civil Servants. In 
August  2024,  the  President  of  the  Republic  appointed  a  former  Supreme  Court  Judge  as  a 
Special Adviser on Ethics on a  pro bono basis,  and he  is  expected to  play a  central role in 
promoting the principles of good governance for high-level  elected  and appointed officials. 
This is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen the implementation of the 2023 Code of 
Ethics applicable to high-level officials. The Special Adviser submitted draft guidelines to the 
President in February 2025 which are being finalised80. The Council of Ministers approved a 
new Guide of Conduct and Ethics for Civil Servants at the end of March that was circulated 
to the civil service in April 2025. This incorporates the standards of professional behaviour as 
well as core integrity principles such as impartiality, objectivity, the avoidance of conflicts of 
interest and incompatibilities of office, and other corruption prevention measures81. 

77  Lobbyists are required to submit a report biannually detailing their contacts with officials, and officials are 
required  to  submit  a  co-signed  report  to  the  IAAC  after  every  contact  with  lobbyists  within  two  months. 
Failure to comply can include a maximum imprisonment of six months and a maximum financial penalty of 
EUR 5 000. Art 13, 17, 22, and 24 of Law 20(I)/2022 and Circular No. 005 of 28 February 2025. 

78   Law  20(I)/2022  on  ‘Transparency  in  Public  Decision-Making  Procedures  and  Related  Matters  Law’  fully 
entered  into  force  on  1  March  2024  for  both  public  officials  and  lobbyists.  Lobbyists  include  both 
individuals and entities such as trade unions, NGOs and political party organisations. Registered lobbyists 
must  adhere  to  the  publicly  available  2024  Code  of  Conduct  prepared  and  overseen  by  the  IAAC.  Both 
public officials and lobbyists are required to inform and report to the IAAC on their meetings and subjects 
discussed. Cypriot Government (2025), written input, pp. 24-25 and country visit, Cyprus, IAAC.   

79   Country visit, Cyprus, Chamber of Commerce and OEB. Oxygen for Democracy (2025), written input, pp. 
15, 18 and 20.  It has also ben pointed out that the IAAC needs additional resources to monitor compliance 
effectively. 

80   Country visit, Cyprus, Special Ethics Adviser. The Special Ethics Adviser’s office is attached to the Office 
of  the  President  and  supported  by  administrative  staff.  This  appointment  was  made  in  response  to  the 
GRECO recommendations, following its 5th round evaluation report.  

81   The  Guide  of  Conduct  and  Ethics  for  civil  servants,  that  was  prepared  by  the  Department  of  Public 
Administration  and  Personnel  of  the  Ministry  of  Finance  in  collaboration  with  the  Commissioner  for 
Administration  and  Human  Rights  and  the  Law  Commissioner  replaced  the  one  from  2013.  Training 
programmes for civil servants will be organised by the Cyprus Academy of Public Administration. Cypriot 
Government (2025), written input pp. 26-27, and Country visit Cyprus, Department of Public Administration 
and Personnel of the Ministry of Finance.  

12 

 
 
 
Training  on  how  to  handle  whistleblowing  reports  continued.  By  the  end  of  2024,  the 
Police  received  80  complaints  through  its  external  reporting  website  of  which  one  was 
assigned to the Criminal Investigation Department. In January 2025, the Cyprus Academy of 
Public Administration organised and provided training to public sector officers who receive 
and handle the internal and external whistleblowing channels82. 

Efforts are being made to improve efficiency, accountability and transparency in public 
procurement.  Businesses’  attitudes  towards  corruption  in  the  EU  show  that  37%  of 
companies  in  Cyprus  (EU  average  25%)  think  that  corruption  has  prevented  them  from 
winning a public tender or a public procurement contract in practice in the last three years83.  
The  Single  Market  and  Competitiveness  Scoreboard  on  access  to  public  procurement  in 
Cyprus reports 17% of single bids for 2023 (EU average 29%). The Police, the Audit Office, 
civil  society  and  business  stakeholders  continue  to  highlight  public  procurement  as 
particularly  prone  to  corruption84.  This  creates  an  uncertain  business  and  investment 
environment,  85.  Government  efforts  to  improve  accountability,  transparency,  accessibility 
and efficiency,  together with  the digitalisation of public services and  procurement and the 
more efficient approval process for small developments should help to improve the business 
environment86.  Furthermore,  47%  of  companies  perceive  the  level  of  independence  of  the 
public  procurement  review  body  (Tender  Review  Authority)  as  very  or  fairly  good87.  The 
IAAC is working on a guide that will identify high risk sectors and support public authorities, 
including  those  issuing  permits,  to  develop  anti-corruption  strategies  in  finance,  healthcare, 
defence  and  security,  public  procurement,  construction,  and  infrastructure.  A  new  e-
procurement  system  should  be  in  place  by  the  end  of  2025  to  improve  transparency  and 
accountability  of  public  tenders,  improve  data  quality,  and  assist  the  work  of  audit 
authorities88. In the past year, the Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus identified four cases of 
conflicts of interest, three of which were excluded from EU funding programs and  two were 
referred  to the IAAC for further investigation89. 

82   Cypriot Government (2025) and Ministry of Justice and Public Order (2025), written inputs, p. 29 and p. 4 

respectively. Country visit, Cyprus, Police. 

83   Flash  Eurobarometer  557  on  Businesses’  attitudes  towards  corruption  in  the  EU  (2025).  This  is  12 

percentage points above the EU average.  

84   Challenges  highlighted  by  business  include  collaboration  to  set  prices  or  divide  the  market,  tender 
specifications that favour a specific company, and conflicts of interest. Chamber of Commerce and Industry, 
written input p. 6. Country visit Cyprus, Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation, and the Police.  
85   CSOs and the media also highlight the negative publicity around the citizenship-by-investment programme 
and the alleged involvement of high-profile individuals in corruption cases. Country visit, Cyprus, CIREN. 
OEB  and  Chamber  of  Commerce;  Oxygen  for  Democracy  and  Chamber  of  Commerce  (2025),  written 
inputs, p. 24 and pp. 5-7.  

86   Chamber of Commerce (2025), written input p. 5-7. 
87   The  Tenders Review Authority examines  recourses against acts or decisions  by the  contracting  authorities 
(i.e., the State, local authorities, public law bodies or associations of such authorities or public organizations) 
that violate any provision of the law before or after signing a contract of supplies, services or projects. Figure 
59, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

88  The system will provide all information on public procurement procedures, from the  project’s inception to 
its  conclusion  and  final  acceptance.  Training  has  been  especially  targeted  towards  small  contracting 
authorities. The termination of certain flagship projects seek to send a clear message to the market that it will 
no  longer  tolerate  a  mismatch  between  what  a  contractor  promises  and  can  deliver.  Cypriot  Government 
(2025), written input, p.30. 

89   Cypriot Government (2025) additional written input, p. 9.  

13 

 
 
 
III.  MEDIA PLURALISM AND MEDIA FREEDOM 

The  Cyprus  Radio  and  Television  Authority  operates  in  an  independent  manner. 
Cyprus’s  regulator  for  audiovisual  media  services,  the  Cyprus  Radio  Television  Authority 
(CRTA), is governed by the Radio and Television Broadcasters Law and is functionally and 
effectively  independent.  Pursuant  to  the  Cyprus  Broadcasting  Corporation  Law,  CRTA  is 
mandated  to  partially  monitor  Cyprus’s  public  service  broadcaster.  The  Media  Pluralism 
Monitor  (MPM)  2025  has  increased  its  risk  analysis  from  low  to  medium-low  risk  for  the 
independence of the media regulator pointing out that various new tasks are not regulated by 
a  suitable  legal  framework90.  The  CRTA  publishes  its  decisions  and  reports  on  its  website, 
including  an  annual  activity  report,  which  it  submits  to  the  President  of  the  Parliament 91. 
MPM  2025  concludes  nonetheless  that  such  activity  reports  appear  to  include  neither  the 
actual regulatory work of the Authority nor its functioning and do not provide details as to its 
financial  situation92.  The  Authority  is  currently  in  the  process  of  examining  measures  to 
ensure the adequacy of its resources for the purpose of enforcing the Digital Services Act and 
the European Media Freedom Act93. 

The  legal  framework  relating  to  transparency  of  media  ownership  has  not  been 
improved.  Digital  and  print  media  remain  unregulated  as  regards  transparency  of  media 
ownership  and  the  relevant  legal  framework  governing  audiovisual  media  is  applied  in  an 
inconsistent  manner.  In  view  of  these  factors,  MPM  2025  considers  this  to  be  an  area 
presenting  very  high-risk94.  A  report  published  by  the  Cyprus  Investigative  Reporting 
Network  (CIReN),  based  on  information  in  the  public  domain,  looks  into  the  ownership 
structures of Cyprus’ thirteen most prominent media groups95. The Cypriot authorities have 
confirmed plans to develop a database covering all media ownership information, including 
beneficial  owners96.  In  Cyprus,  the  media  regulatory  authority  has  no  power  of  review  of 
media  mergers  and  acquisitions.  The  Minister  responsible  may,  prior  to  the  decision  of  the 
competition authority, declare that a notified concentration is deemed to be of major public 
interest as regards the effect it may have on the public security, the pluralism of the media or 
the principles of sound administration97. The Cypriot authorities have announced that relevant 
provisions  will  be  introduced  to  take  into  account  the  criteria  laid  down  in  the  European 
Media Freedom Act on media market concentrations98. 

There has been limited progress to address  the lack of legislation and transparency in 
the field of state advertising99. The Government implements a set of guidelines – based on 
various criteria such as audience and readership share – in relation to amounts distributed to 
media companies for the publication of information campaigns managed by the government’s 
Press  and  Information  Office.  The  criteria  used  for  the  allocation  of  state  advertising  are 

90    2025 Media Pluralism Monitor report on Cyprus, pp. 17-19.  
91  Cypriot Government (2025a). 
92   Ibid. 
93   Cypriot Government (2025), written input, p. 33.  
94   2025 Media Pluralism Monitor report on Cyprus, pp. 21-22. 
95   CIReN (2024), Who Owns the Media? 
96   Cypriot Government (2025), written input, p. 34.  
97   Article 5 and Articles 36-39 of the Control of Concentration between Undertakings Law 83 (I) of 2014. In 
such cases, the case is referred to the Council of Ministers which may officially approve or not approve the 
concentration in question. 

98   Information received from Cyprus in the context of the country visit to Cyprus for the 2024 report. 
99   The 2024 Rule of Law Report recommended to Cyprus to “Adopt legislation to ensure fair and transparent 

distribution of advertising expenditure by the state and state-owned companies”.   

14 

 
 
 
 
published on the Office’s website, together with its yearly financial transactions100. The MPM 
continues  to  rank  this  area  at  medium  risk,  pointing  out  that  there  is  no  legal  framework 
regulating  the area101. Draft  legislation to  further regulate the area is  in  preparation and the 
aim  of  the  Government  is  to  stipulate  that  public  expenditure  for  state  advertising  must  be 
distributed  to  a  wide  variety  of  media  outlets,  and  to  designate  a  monitoring  authority  to 
oversee  such  spending102.  For  these  reasons,  there  has  been  limited  progress  on  the 
recommendation made in the 2024 Rule of Law Report.  

There  has  been  limited  progress  with  regard  to  the  independent  governance  of  public 
service  media103.  Consultations  are  still  ongoing  between  the  Government,  the  Cyprus 
Broadcasting  Corporation  and  the  CRTA  on  the  modernisation  of  the  Law  on  the  Cyprus 
Broadcasting  Corporation.  Draft  legislation  drawn  up  by  the  government  is  currently  under 
examination  by  CyBC.  The  bill,  that  aims  at  modifying  the  system  of  appointment  and 
dismissal of members of CyBC’s Board and at establishing stricter eligibility conditions, has 
been circulated to the relevant authorities104. While awaiting further progress on this bill, the 
Media Pluralism Monitor points out that the CyBC’s present governing board was appointed 
by the Government taking into account the advice of a Consultative Council, which proposed 
persons for appointment taken from a list of persons who expressed interest in the role. MPM 
underlines, however, that the establishment of this body does not appear to prevent political 
interference and rates this as an area presenting medium-high risk105. Given that the concerns 
raised in previous Rule of Law Reports106 and by MPM persist and the anticipated reform is 
still ongoing, there has  been  limited  progress  with  regard to  the  recommendation to  further 
advance with the process to strengthen the rules and mechanisms to enhance the independent 
governance of public service media.  

The  Information  Commissioner  continues  to  play  an  active  role  in  terms  of  raising 
awareness on the public’s right to access information. An adequate legislative framework 
is  in  place  and its  implementation  is  efficiently  overseen by the  Information Commissioner 
who has organised press conferences and campaigns to raise public awareness about the right 
to  access  information107.  However,  the  MPM  maintains  its  analysis  that  the  system  leaves 
room  for  arbitrariness  and  has  increased  its  risk  analysis  within  the  medium  risk  band, 
highlighting  the  contradictory  practices  adopted  by  different  public  authorities108.  As  a 
response  to  GRECO  recommendations  to  Cyprus  to  conduct  a  thorough  analysis  of  the 
challenges  in  the  implementation  of  the  law  and  to  take  additional  measures  to  improve 
public  access  to  information  and  a  culture  of  openness  within  the  public  authorities,  in 
February  2025  the  Information  Commissioner  adopted  and  published  a  Code  of  Practice  to 
strengthen  the  implementation  of  the  right  to  access  information.  The  Code  provides 

100  Cypriot Government (2025), written input, p. 33.  
101  2025 Media Pluralism Monitor report on Cyprus, pp. 30-31. 
102  Cypriot Government (2025), written input, p. 33. 
103  The  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report  recommended  Cyprus  to  “Further  advance  with  the  process  aimed  at 
strengthening  the  rules  and  mechanisms  to  enhance  the  independent  governance  of  public  service  media 
taking into account European standards on public service media”.  

104  Information received from Cyprus in the context of the country visit to Cyprus for the 2024 report. 
105  2025 Media Pluralism Monitor report on Cyprus, pp. 31-32. 
106  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus, pp. 13-14, 2023 Rule of 
Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus, p. 19 and 2024 Rule of Law Report, 
Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Cyprus, p. 22.  

107  Law 184(I)/2017. Information and written input received from the Information Commissioner in the context 

of the country visit to Cyprus for the 2025 report. 

108  2025 Media Pluralism Monitor report on Cyprus, pp. 15-16. 

15 

 
 
 
therein,  applicable  deadlines  and 

guidance to public authorities, citizens and journalists on the purpose of the Law, the relevant 
exceptions 
Information 
Commissioner confirms trends in previous years that the majority of complaints received by 
her office – very few of which are lodged by journalists – are resolved following the office’s 
intervention.  

the  fee  system109.  The 

The  situation  as  regards  safety  of  journalists  has  improved,  however  they  continue  to 
experience precarious working conditions.  The government has submitted for legal vetting 
to the Law Office of the Republic a draft bill introducing anti-SLAPP provisions110. Although 
the Media Pluralism Monitor continues to emphasise precarious working conditions, in light 
of the fact that Cyprus has registered no cases of physical or other attacks on journalists,  it 
has  decreased  its  risk  evaluation  for  this  area  from  medium  to  low  risk111.  Media 
professionals and organisations representing journalists continue to emphasise the precarious 
financial and employment situation impacting the sector with a recent study finding that 61% 
of  journalists  in  the  country  experience  job  insecurity,  and  one-third  feeling  pressure  or 
threatened  in  relation  to  their  work112.  The  Council  of  Europe’s  Platform  to  promote  the 
protection  of  journalism  and  safety  of  journalists  has  published  no  new  alerts  since  the 
publication of the 2024 Rule of Law Report, relating to Cyprus113 while the Media Freedom 
Rapid  Response  Mechanism  registered  one  alert  in  relation  to  a  draft  law  relating  to 
surveillance114. 

IV.  OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CHECKS AND BALANCES 

Significant progress has been made as regards the recommendation on the effective and 
timely  consultation of stakeholders, including with the systematic use of the electronic 
platform  for  public  consultations115.  Draft  legislation  has  been  regularly  submitted  for 
comments in the electronic platform for public consultations116. Reports on concluded public 
consultations,  including  feedback  on  the  comments  received,  are  published  on  the  platform 
together  with  the  amended  drafts,  thus  enhancing  transparency.  There  are  discussions  on 
whether to transfer the monitoring of the use of the platform, as well as the implementation of 
the policy on public consultations, under the authority of the Commissioner for the Citizen117. 
Two  draft  bills,  one  aiming  to  make  public  consultations  compulsory118  and  a  second  on 
Citizens’  Legislative  Initiative  could  further  improve  public  participation  in  decision-
making119. Additional tools enhancing participatory democracy include the digital platforms 

109  Information  and  written  input  received  from  the  Information  Commissioner  in  the  context  of  the  country 

visit to Cyprus for the 2025 report. 

110  The Protection of Persons Engaging in Public Participation from Manifestly Unfounded Lawsuits or Abusive 

Judicial Proceedings Law of 2024, implementing Directive 2024/1069/EU.  

111   2025 Media Pluralism Monitor report on Cyprus, pp. 16-17. 
112  Country visit, Cyprus, Union of Cypriot Journalists. 
113  Council of Europe Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists (2024-2025). 
114  European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Media Freedom Rapid Response – Cyprus. 
115  The  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report  recommended  to  Cyprus  to  “continue  efforts  to  ensure  the  effective  and 

timely consultation of stakeholders in the legislative process and address shortcomings”. 

116  By February 2025, 114 draft bills and proposals were submitted to public consultation. Country visit Cyprus, 

Ministry of Finance. 

117  Commissioner for the Citizen (2025), written input.   
118  Public consultations are currently conducted by virtue of a decision of the Council of Ministers,  2024 Rule 

of Law Report, Cyprus, p. 24. 

119  Commissioner for the Citizen (2025), written input.   

16 

 
 
 
Citizen’s Voice, which seeks public opinions on proposed laws and policy, and ekfraCY, for 
engaging with younger citizens. Civil society considers that these developments are positive 
and promote inclusivity and transparency, while their implementation needs to be monitored. 
Business representatives and the Bar Association are regularly consulted by the executive and 
invited to present their views on draft legislation during parliamentary hearings120. Building 
on  the  overall  progress  assessed  in  the  previous  Reports121,  there  has  been  significant 
progress on the implementation of the recommendations made in the previous years.  

Businesses  and  investors  see  delays  in  the  law-making  process  and  in  adopting 
implementing  acts  as  challenges.  Clear  legal  frameworks  are  particularly  important  for 
businesses  and  investors.  Business  representatives  consider  that  the  law-making  process  is 
slow and fails to address urgent needs. Delays in adopting implementing regulations further 
hinder  the  timely  enforcement  of  legislation  and  create  regulatory  gaps  that  impact  upon 
economic stability and market confidence122. Compliance costs are particularly burdensome 
due to complex regulations and overregulation, especially for SMEs123. In Cyprus, 32% of the 
surveyed companies perceive the frequent changes in legislation or concerns about quality of 
law-making process as a reason for the lack of confidence in investment protection (25% in 
2024 and 36% in 2023)124. The creation of a legislation preparation platform, the e-legislation 
platform, faces further delays and is not expected to be completed before the end of 2026125. 
In  May  2025,  Parliament  held  preliminary  discussions  over  a  draft  bill  submitted  by  a 
Member  of  Parliament  aiming  at  promoting  transparency  by  publishing  official  acts  and 
decisions on a digital platform126.   

Less than a third of the companies surveyed in Cyprus express high levels of confidence 
in the effectiveness of investment protection. 27% of companies are very or fairly confident 
that investments are protected by law and courts127. The main reasons among companies for 
their lack of confidence include difficulties to enforce rights in court due to concerns about 
the quality, efficiency or the independence of justice (49%) and to obtain a fair compensation 
to protect property (49%)128. As regards authorities relevant for economic operators, 49% of 
companies  perceive  the  level  of  independence  of  the  national  competition  authority,  the 
Commission for the Protection of Competition, as very or fairly good129.  

120  CroLEV (2024), Findings Report: CRoLEV Focus Groups on Civic Spaces and Responses to Crises in the 
Republic  of  Cyprus,  pp.  18-25.  Country  visit  Cyprus,  Oxygen  for  democracy,  Cyprus  Employers  & 
Industrialists Federation, Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Cyprus Bar Association.  

121  2024, 2023 Rule of Law Reports, Cyprus, pp. 24-25 and 20-21 respectively.   
122  Cyprus  Chamber  of  Commerce  and  Industry  (2025),  written  input,  pp.  1-2.  Country  visit  Cyprus,  Cyprus 

Employers & Industrialists Federation.  

123 EIB Investment Survey 2024 Country Overview: Cyprus, p.18.  Overall, 80% of Cypriot firms employ staff 
to deal with regulatory compliance. The regulatory burden is particularly high for SMEs, given their small 
size.  See also, European Semester 2025, Annex 6.  

124  Figure 55, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
125  Investment  C3.412  of  the  National  Recovery  and  Resilience  Plan  concerns  the  digitalisation  of  the  law-
making  process.  It  should  enable  easier  drafting,  consolidation,  management  and  storing  of  law  and 
regulations accessible to citizens and businesses. Country visit Cyprus, Ministry of Finance. 

126  Parliament, file no 23.02.062.156-2021. 
127  Figure 54, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard,  
128  Figure 55, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
129  The Commission for the Protection  of Competition is an administrative body consisting of a chairman and 
four  members.  Its  mission  is  to  regulate  and  protect  free  competition  with  the  aim  to  further  economic 
growth  and  progress,  but  also  to  protect  competitive  forces  and  consumer  welfare.  Figure  60,  2025  EU 
Justice Scoreboard. 

17 

 
 
 
The Government put forward plans to reform the Audit Office, while questions remain 
around  the  appointment  procedure  of  the  Auditor  General  and  his  Deputy.  The 
Government prepared draft legislation to transform the country’s Supreme Audit Institution, 
the  Audit  Office130,  into  a  collegiate  body,  the  Audit  Council,  composed  of  the  Auditor 
General, the Deputy Auditor General, and three other members131. The three members would 
be appointed by the President of the Republic from a list of five candidates established by a 
special  Advisory  Council,  after  considering  the  views  of  the  Auditor  General.  The 
appointment procedure for the Auditor General and his Deputy is not planned to change and 
would  remain  within  the  exclusive  remit  of  the  President132.  International  standards  on  the 
independence of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) indicate that the head of the SAI needs to 
be  appointed  by  a  process  that  ensures  independence  from  the  Executive133.  Cyprus  is  the 
only Member State where the head of the SAI is appointed directly by the President without 
any  other  body  being  involved  in  the  procedure134.  GRECO  considered  that  Presidential 
powers over the direct appointment of the top management of the key oversight bodies risks 
creating a relationship of interdependence135. The current Auditor General expressed the view 
that  a  two-stage  appointment  procedure,  which  would  involve  different  bodies,  would 
increase public trust136. The Auditor General also noted that the reform is an opportunity to 
enhance  the  financial  independence  of  the  Office,  which  is  not  fully  guaranteed  under  the 
current  framework137.  Regarding  unrestricted  access  to  information138,  the  Audit  Office  has 
not  so  far  experienced  any  further  challenges  or  set-backs,  mainly  as  a  result  of  the  good 
working relationship with the Law Office. While this marks an improvement compared to the 
major challenges reported in previous years139, the Audit Office still has limited tools to force 
auditees to comply with their legal obligations. 

On 1 January 2025, Cyprus had 8 leading judgments of the European Court of Human 
Rights  pending  implementation,  a  decrease  of  2  compared  to  the  previous  year140.  At 
that  time,  Cyprus’  rate  of  leading  judgments  from  the  past  10  years  that  had  been 
implemented  was  at  58%  (compared  to  47%  in  2024;  42%  remained  pending),  and  the 
average time that the judgments had been pending implementation was 3 years and 6 months 

130  Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) are public oversight institutions which audit the use of public funds.  In 
Cyprus, the Audit Office is an independent state body, headed by the  Auditor-General. 2023 Rule of Law 
Report, pp. 12 and 14.  

131  The reform also concerns the term of office: an eight-year, non-renewable term for the Auditor General and 
the  Deputy  (currently  appointed  until  the  age  of  65)  and  a  three-years,  renewable  once  term  for  the  three 
other members. Ministry of Justice and Public Order (2025), written input, pp 3-4.  

132  Article  115  (1)  of  the  Constitution  of  Cyprus.  Following  the  unanimous  decision  of  the  Supreme 
Constitutional Court of 18 September 2024 on the  dismissal of the Auditor General for improper conduct, 
the President of the Republic appointed a new Auditor General on 24 September 2024. 

133  INTOSAI (2019), Mexico Declaration on SAI Independence, Principle 2. 
134  Figure 63, 2025 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
135  GRECO (2023), 5th Evaluation Round, Evaluation Report Cyprus, paragraph 101. 
136  Country visit Cyprus, Audit Office.  
137  The  budget  of  the  Audit  Office  is  part  of  the  state  budget,  approved  by  the  Minister  of  Finance  and  the 
Council  of  Ministers,  before  it  is  submitted  to  Parliament.  However,  Parliament  can  only  decrease  the 
allocated  budget.  This  limitation  impacts  on  the  financial  independence  of  the  Office,  as  well  as  on  its 
resources and capacity to perform its tasks. Cypriot Government (2025), additional input, pp. 5-6. According 
to the Government, a corresponding proposal put forward by the Audit Office was included in the draft bill.   

138  INTOSAI (2019), Mexico Declaration on SAI Independence, Principle 4. 
139  While  non-compliance  is  a  criminal  offence,  auditees  do  not  risk  prosecution  when  their  refusal  to  give 
access  to  information  follows  the  advice  of  the  Attorney  General.  Cypriot  Government  (2025),  additional 
written input, pp. 5-6. Country visit Cyprus, Audit Office; 2024 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, pp. 13-14.  

140  For an explanation of the supervision process, see the website of the Council of Europe.   

18 

 
 
 
(compared  to  3  years  and  4  months  in  2024)141.  The  oldest  leading  judgment,  pending 
implementation  for  6  years,  concerns  poor  conditions  of  detention  at  Nicosia  Central 
Prisons142. As regards the respect of payment deadlines, on 31 December 2024 there were 2 
cases  in  total  awaiting  confirmation  of  payments  (compared  to  0  in  2023)143.  On  16  June 
2025, the number of leading judgments pending implementation had increased to 10144.  

Challenges  regarding  administrative  requirements  for  Civil  Society  Organisations 
(CSOs) persist, while efforts to revise the legal framework are still ongoing. Civic space 
in Cyprus remains narrowed145. The lack of uniform application in practice of the regulatory 
framework  and  heavy  administrative  procedures  result  in  additional  requirements  not 
provided  for  by  the  law,  delays,  and  inconsistent  practices  by  the  different  district  offices, 
which  are  a  challenge  for  CSOs146.  The  process  of  revising  the  Law  on  Associations  and 
Foundations,  launched  in  November  2023,  has  not  been  concluded  yet.  According  to  the 
Government, the new law would reduce administrative burden and provide clearer guidance 
for its application147. CSOs consider that training, capacity building and continuous dialogue 
with civil society are also important elements to create a civic culture. The appointment of a 
new  Commissioner  for  the  Citizen,  responsible  for  outreach  to  civil  society,  has  been 
regarded as a positive step148. The Ombudsperson is also regularly exchanging and working 
together  with  civil  society  representatives  in  the  context  of  the  Human  Rights  Advisory 
Committee149.  

141  All  figures  calculated  by  the  European  Implementation  Network  (EIN)  and  based  on  the  number  of  cases 
that are considered pending at the annual cut-off date of 1 January 2025. EIN (2025), written input, pp. 2-3. 

142  Judgment of the ECtHR, 21318/12, Danilczuk v. Cyprus, pending implementation since 2018.  
143  Council of Europe (2025), p. 156.   
144  Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC). 
145  Rating  by  CIVICUS  (2024);  ratings  are  on  a  five-category  scale  defined  as:  open,  narrowed,  obstructed, 

repressed and closed. 

146  2024 Rule of Law Report, Cyprus, pp. 28 -29. Civil Society Advocates (2025), Civil Society Organisations: 
Evaluation and Monitoring the Implementation of: (i) The legislation on Associations and Foundations (Law 
104(I)/2017); (ii) Its implementation Regulations. 

147  Country visit Cyprus, Ministry of Interior.  
148  OHCHR  (2025),  written  input,  pp.  7-10;  Country  visit  Cyprus,  NGO  Support  Centre,  Civil  Rights 
Advocates,  OPEK,  Oxygen  for  democracy;  CroLEV  (2024),  Findings  Report:  CRoLEV  Focus  Groups  on 
Civic Spaces and Responses to Crises in the Republic of Cyprus, pp. 18-25.    

149  Ombudsperson (2025), written input, p. 5; ENNHRI (2025), Cyprus, p. 81. 

19 

 
 
 
Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order* 

* The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2025 Rule of Law report 
can 
https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2025-rule-law-report-targeted-
stakeholder-consultation_en. 

found 

be 

at 

Alphanews 
https://www.alphanews.live/cyprus/i-apodrasi-to-anthropokynigito-kai-i-syllipsi-tou-drapeti/  

the  manhunt,  and 

(2024),  The 

capture  of 

escape, 

the 

the 

fugitive, 

Centre  for  Media  Pluralism  and  Media  Freedom  (2025),  Media  Pluralism  Monitor  2025,  Country 
report for Cyprus, Media Pluralism Monitor – Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom. 

Centre for the Rule of Law and European Values (CroLev) (2025), Findings Report: CRoLEV Focus 
Groups on Civic Spaces and Responses to Crises in the Republic of Cyprus.   

Christos  P.  Panayiotides,  Nicos  G.  Syrimis  and  Economics  Professor  Sir  Christopher  A.  Pissarides 
(2025),  Assessment  of  the  new  wealth  statements  system  of  the  politically  exposed  persons  (PEPs). 
Legislated in Cyprus in 2024, https://www.pothen-esches-cyprus.com/. 

Civicus (2024), Monitor tracking civic space – Cyprus, https://monitor.civicus.org/country/cyprus/.   

Civil  Society  Advocates  (2025),  Civil  Society  Organisations:  Evaluation  and  Monitoring  the 
Implementation  of:  (i)  The  legislation  on  Associations  and  Foundations;  (ii)  Its  implementation 
Regulations, 
https://civilsocietyadvocates.org/images/Projects/Dialogue_Consultation_Empowerment_3D/Report_
EvaluationMonitoringLawImplementation_Eng.pdf 

Committee of Media Ethics (2025), Written contribution from the Committee of Media Ethics in the 
context of the country visit to Cyprus. 

Council of Bars and Law Societies of Europe (CCBE) (2025), Contribution from the Council of Bars 
and Law Societies of Europe for the 2025 Rule of Law Report. 

Council  of  Europe:  Committee  of  Ministers  (2000),  Recommendation  CM/Rec(2000)19  of  the 
Committee  of  Ministers  of  the  Council  of  Europe  on  the  role  of  public  prosecution  in  the  criminal 
justice system.  

Council  of  Europe:  Venice  Commission  (2021),  Opinion  on  three  bills  reforming  the  judiciary  in 
Cyprus (CDL-AD(2021)043). 

Council  of  Europe:  Venice  Commission  (2010),  Report  on  European  Standards  as  regards  the 
independence of the judicial system: Part II- the prosecution service (CDL-AD(2010)040).  

Council  of  Europe:  Venice  Commission  (2018),  Opinion  on  Constitutional  arrangements  and 
separation  of  powers  and  the  independence  of  the  judiciary  and  law  enforcement  (CDL-
AD(2018)028-e).  

Council of Europe, Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists (2025). 

Cypriot Government (2025), Input from Cyprus for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.  

Cypriot Government (2025a), Additional written contribution for the 2025 Rule of Law Report. 

Cyprus Bar Association (2025), Written contribution from the Cyprus Bar Association in the context 
of the country visit to Cyprus.  

20 

 
 
Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry (2025), Written contribution from the Cyprus Chamber 
of Commerce and Industry in the context of the country visit to Cyprus.  

Cyprus Forum (2024), Attorney General Powers, 3 October 2024. 

Cyprus Investigative Reporting Network (CIReN) (2024), Who Owns the Media? 

Cyprus  Judges  Association  (2025),  Contribution  from  the  Cyprus  Judges  Association  for  the  2025 
Rule of Law Report.  

Cyprus  Mail  (2024),  EU  authorities  alerted  over  cable  project  irregularities,  https://cyprus-
mail.com/2024/12/31/eu-authorities-alerted-over-cable-project-irregularities.Cyprus  Mail 
(2024), 
to  President,  https://cyprus-
Former  Supreme  Court 
mail.com/2024/08/29/former-supreme-court-judge-appointed-as-ethics-adviser-to-president . 

judge  appointed  as  ethics  adviser 

Cyprus  Times  (2024),  Violence  at  stadiums  and  responsibilities:  Findings  from  Analytica's  survey 
with  7,000  participants,  https://cyprustimes.com/ereynes/via-sta-gipeda-kai-efthynes-ta-evrimata-
erevnas-tis-analytica-me-7-chiliades-symmetoches/. 

Cyprus  Police  (2024),  Memorandum  of  Understanding  between  the  Cyprus  Police  and  the  FBI  to 
assist  in  the  investigation  of  cases  of  possible  violation  of  sanctions,  money  laundering  and 
corruption. 

Dialogos  (2024),  Committtee  of  Ethics  satisfied  about  the  decision  of  the  Supreme  Constitutional 
Deputy, 
Court 
https://dialogos.com.cy/ikanopoiisi-melon-ep-thesmon-gia-apofasi-anotatoy-gia-pothen-esches-
eisaggeleon/.  

declaration 

regarding 

Attorney 

General 

asset 

and 

of 

European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Media Freedom Rapid Response – Cyprus. 

European  Commission  (2016),  Report  on  the  application  of  Directive  2008/52/EC  of  the  European 
Parliament  and  of  the  Council  on  certain  aspects  of  mediation  in  civil  and  commercial  matters, 
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:52016DC0542. 

European Commission (2022), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Cyprus.  

European Commission (2023), EU Justice Scoreboard.  

European Commission (2023), 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Cyprus.  

European Commission (2024), EU Justice Scoreboard.  

European Commission (2024), 2024 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Cyprus.  

European  Commission  (2025),  2025  Country  Report  –  Cyprus,  Accompanying  the  document 
Recommendation for a Council Recommendation on the economic, social, employment, structural and 
budgetary policies of Cyprus, SWD (2025) 213 final. 

European Commission (2025), EU Justice Scoreboard.  

European Commission (2025), Flash Eurobarometer 557– Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption 
in the EU. 

21 

 
 
European Commission (2025), Special Eurobarometer 561 – Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in 
the EU. 

European Implementation Network (2025), Contribution from the European Implementation Network 
for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.  

European Investment Bank (2025), EIB Investment Survey 2024: Cyprus overview. 

European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (2025), State of the rule of law in Europe, 
Reports from National Human Rights Institutions, Cyprus. 

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (2024), ‘Cyprus: EPPO investigates project for liquefied natural 
gas  import  terminal’,  https://www.eppo.europa.eu/en/media/news/cyprus-eppo-investigates-project-
liquefied-natural-gas-import-
terminal#:~:text=%28Luxembourg%2C%2025%20July%202024%29%20%E2%80%93%20The%20
European%20Public,procurement%20fraud%2C%20misappropriation%20of%20EU%20funds%20an
d%20corruption. 

European Public Prosecutor’s Office (2025), Annual Report 2024. 

Global Alliance of Human Rights Institutions (2022), Report and Recommendations of the Session of 
the Sub-Committee on Accreditation (SCA), Geneva, 3-7 October 2022. 

GRECO (2016), Fourth Evaluation Round, Evaluation Report on Cyprus on Corruption prevention in 
respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. 

GRECO  (2023),  Fifth  Evaluation  Round,  Preventing  corruption  and  promoting  integrity  in  central 
governments (top executive functions) and law enforcement agencies.  

GRECO  (2024),  Fourth  Evaluation  Round  Second  Addendum  to  the  Second  Compliance  Report, 
Corruption prevention in respect of members of parliament, judges and prosecutors. 

Independent  Authority  against  Corruption  (2025),  Announcement  to  Registered  Representatives  of 
Special Interest Groups ("Lobbyists"), 25 February 2025. 

Independent  Authority  against  Corruption  (2025),  The  Independent  Authority  against  Corruption 
(IAAC) implements the "Anti-Corruption Action Plan, 17 April 2025.  

Information  Commissioner  (2025),  Written  contribution  from  the  Information  Commissioner  in  the 
context of the country visit to Cyprus.  

International  Monetary  Fund  (2025),  Cyprus:  Staff  Concluding  Statement  of  the  2025  Article  IV 
Mission. 

International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) (2019), Mexico Declaration on 
Supreme Audit Institutions Independence.  

Law  Office  (2025),  Written  contribution  from  the  Law  Office  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to 
Cyprus.  

Legal Matters (2025), Interview with the Attorney General, Part B, 16 January 2025. 

Ministry of Justice and Public Order (2025), Written contribution from the Ministry of Justice in the 
context of the country visit to Cyprus.   

22 

 
 
Office of the Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights (2025), Written 
contribution  from  the  Office  of  the  Commissioner  for  Administration  and  the  Protection  of  Human 
Rights in the context of the country visit to Cyprus.  

Oxygen for Democracy (2025), Contribution from Oxygono for the 2025 Rule of Law Report.   

Parliament of Cyprus (2025), Written contribution from Parliament in the context of the country visit 
to Cyprus.  

Philenews  (2024),  ‘Audit  office  sends  Cyprus-Crete  power  cable  probe  to  European  prosecutors’, 
https://in-cyprus.philenews.com/insider/audit-office-sends-cyprus-crete-power-cable-probe-to-
european-prosecutors/. 

Philenews  (2024a),  ‘The  President  dismissed  everyone  –  Police  Chief  and  Deputy  Chief  removed, 
Arnaoutis  appointed  as  the  new  head’  (Τους  καθάρισε  όλους  ο  Πρόεδρος  –  Παύση  Αρχηγού  και 
Υπαρχηγού 
), 
https://www.philenews.com/politiki/article/1512989/tous-katharise-olous-proedros-pafsi-archigou-
iparchigou-antikatastasi-diefthinti-filakon/. 

Αστυνομίας, 

επικεφαλής 

Αρναούτης 

νέος 

ο 

Philenews  (2024b),  ‘Sweeping  transfers  in  the  Police  –  High-profile  officer  reassignments’ 
(Σαρωτικές  μεταθέσεις  στην  Αστυνομία  –  Αλλαγές  ηχηρών  ονομάτων  αξιωματικών), 
https://www.philenews.com/kipros/astinomika/article/1524097/sarotikes-metathesis-stin-astinomia-
allages-ichiron-onomaton-axiomatikon/  

Philenews  (2024c),  ‘Corruption  and  organised  crime  at  a  meeting  at  the  Presidential  Palace  - 
Involvement  of  Income  Tax’  (Διαφθορά  και  οργανωμένο  έγκλημα  σε  σύσκεψη  στο  Προεδρικό  – 
Εμπλοκή 
Εισοδήματος), 
https://www.philenews.com/kipros/koinonia/article/1520368/diafthora-ke-organomeno-egklima-se-
siskepsi-sto-proedriko-emploki-ke-forou-isodimatos/   

Φόρου 

και 

Philenews  (2024d),  ‘We  are  entering  a  new  era  –  Arnaoutis'  revealing  message  to  5,500  police 
officers’  («Εισερχόμαστε  σε  νέα  εποχή»  –  Αποκαλυπτικό  μήνυμα  Αρναούτη  σε  5.500  αστυνομικούς) 
https://www.philenews.com/kipros/astinomika/article/1520031/iserchomaste-se-nea-epochi-
apokaliptiko-minima-arnaouti-se-5-500-astinomikous/  

Philenews  (2024e),  ‘A  reorganisation  to  meet  these  goals  is  also  planned  ‘The  Chief  announced  a 
reorganization after 64 years at the confirmation ceremony’ (Προανήγγειλε αναδιοργάνωση μετά από 
64 
διαβεβαίωσης), 
https://www.philenews.com/kipros/koinonia/article/1513383/proaningile-anadiorganosi-meta-apo-64-
chronia-o-archigos-stin-teleti-diaveveosis/ 

Aρχηγός 

χρόνια 

τελετή 

στην 

ο 

Supreme Constitutional Court (2024), Decision on Request 1/2024, 18 September 2024. 

Supreme Constitutional Court (2024), Decision on Referral 3/24 President of the Republic v House of 
Representatives, 20 November 2024. 

Supreme Court (2025), Written contribution from the Supreme Court in the context of the country visit 
to Cyprus.   

Supreme Court (2025), Decision on Civil Appeal 240/2016, 13 January 2025. 

Transparency 
https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2024. 

International 

(2025), 

Corruption 

Perceptions 

Index 

2024, 

23 

 
 
Union of Cyprus Journalists (2025), Written contribution from the Union of Cyprus Journalists in the 
context of the country visit to Cyprus.   

UN Human Rights Regional Office for Europe (OHCHR) (2025), Contribution from OHCHR for the 
2025 Rule of Law Report.  

24 

 
 
 
Annex II: Country visit to Cyprus 

The Commission services held virtual meetings in February 2025 with: 

•  Association of Judges 
•  Audit Office 
•  Centre for the Rule of Law and European Values (CroLev) 
•  Civil Society Advocates 
•  Commissioner for Administration and the Protection of Human Rights 
•  Commissioner for Citizens 
•  Commissioner for Information 
•  Committee of Media Ethics  
•  Cyprus Bar Association 
•  Cyprus Chamber of Commerce and Industry 
•  Cyprus Employers & Industrialists Federation (OEB) 
•  Cyprus Investigative Reporting Network (CIReN) 
•  Department of Judicial Reform, Supreme Court 
•  House of Representatives 
• 
• 
•  KISA 
•  Ministry of Finance 
•  Ministry of Interior 
•  Ministry of Justice and Public Order 
•  NGO Support Centre 
•  Office of the Attorney General 
•  OPEK 
•  Oxygen for Democracy 
•  Police  -  Internal  Affairs  Service,  Office  of  Investigation  of  Financial  Crimes  and 

Independent Authority against Corruption (IAAC) 
Institute for Mass Media (IMME) 

Professional Standards and Inspection Directorate (PSID) 

•  Press and Information Office 
•  Radio-Television Authority 
•  Special Adviser on Ethics  
•  Supreme Constitutional Court 
•  Supreme Court 
•  Treasury of the Republic of Cyprus 
•  Union of Cyprus Journalists (ESK) 

* The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:  

•  Amnesty International  
•  Araminta  
•  Civil Liberties Union for Europe   
•  Civil Society Europe   

25 

 
 
 
•  European Civic Forum   
•  European Partnership for Democracy  
•  European Youth Forum  
• 
• 
•  JEF Europe  
•  Philea – Philanthropy Europe Association 
•  Transparency International   

International Commission of Jurists   
International Federation for Human Rights (FIDH)  

26