U.S. and Cyprus Strengthen Law Enforcement with Agreements on Mutual Legal Assistance and Extraditions

The United States of America and the Republic of Cyprus took a major step forward in U.S.-Cyprus law enforcement efforts when U.S. Ambassador Frank C. Urbancic, Jr. and Cyprus’ Minister of Justice and Public Order, Loucas Louca, signed documents ratifying the U.S.-Cyprus Instruments concerning Mutual Legal Assistance and Extradition.

Cyprus is the 19th of 27 member states of the European Union to exchange instruments of ratification with the United States. These instruments implement the extradition and mutual legal assistance agreements the U.S. signed with the European Union in 2003 and the 2006 U.S.–Cyprus Instruments concerning Extradition and Mutual Legal Assistance.

Part of a major initiative between the U.S. and European Union, these agreements will provide police and prosecutors in both the U.S. and Cyprus new ways to effectively work together and bring criminals to justice, thus strengthening practical cooperation in law enforcement and counter-terrorism efforts.