The closing event of the multinational project Enhancing National Anti-Fraud Strategies for the EU's Financial Interests, held in Athens on Friday, highlighted the importance of coordinated European action to protect the European Union's financial interests and showcased tangible results achieved by the participating countries, Cyprus' Treasury said.
According to a statement, the project marked a significant milestone for Cyprus by making a substantial contribution to the development and adoption of the Republic's first National Anti-Fraud Strategy for 2026-2031, strengthening the country's governance, prevention and control framework.
Framework for governance
The project was funded by the European Union through the Technical Support Instrument and implemented with the support of the European Commission and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It assisted Cyprus, Greece and Bulgaria in strengthening their national strategies and methodologies for preventing, detecting and tackling fraud.
The Treasury noted that Cyprus' National Anti-Fraud Strategy was approved by the Council of Ministers on 27 May 2026. It is the country's first unified, cross-government framework for preventing, detecting, investigating, recovering and monitoring cases of fraud and irregularities affecting the EU's financial interests.
Addressing the conference, Accountant General of the Republic and Chair of AFCOS Cyprus Andreas Antoniades said the strategy was "not simply a policy document, but a framework for governance and implementation". He added that its success would ultimately be judged by its implementation, effective coordination, monitoring, accountability among the competent authorities and the tangible results achieved in the coming years.
Emerging challenges
Stavri Ttofa, Director of the Directorate for Financial Control of European Funds and head of the AFCOS Cyprus Secretariat, said the process of developing the strategy had been just as important as the final document itself, as it had brought together not only AFCOS members but also organisations across the wider anti-fraud ecosystem.
The statement said the accompanying five-year action plan would play a key role by translating the strategy's objectives into concrete, measurable and monitorable actions. These include fraud risk assessments, stronger control mechanisms, improved reporting procedures and greater use of data and digital tools.
The conference also examined emerging challenges linked to the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034, particularly performance-based funding, increased support for national control systems, and the need for greater transparency and wider use of data. Participants stressed that national anti-fraud strategies should remain dynamic instruments capable of adapting to emerging risks and technological developments.
Public trust
According to the Treasury, Cyprus' approach places particular emphasis on data interoperability and the automation of controls, with the aim of introducing more modern, evidence-based and effective procedures that strengthen professional decision-making and improve audit trails.
The event also reaffirmed the importance of close cooperation between EU member states, European institutions and international organisations in developing stronger anti-fraud frameworks and reinforcing public trust.
The Treasury said Cyprus, through the Treasury and AFCOS Cyprus, remains fully committed to implementing the strategy and further strengthening cooperation with OLAF, the European Commission and other EU member states.
Representatives of the European Commission, OLAF, the OECD, the European Court of Auditors and the competent authorities of the participating countries attended the event. Cyprus was also represented by Commissioner for Internal Audit Anna Zavou.
Source: CNA
