On the 19th of January 2026, a national meeting under the EU network against corruption took place in Cyprus at the premises of the European Commission Representation in Nicosia.

As part of the EU network against corruption, the Commission hosts national meetings to allow EU Member States’ anti-corruption stakeholders to engage in dialogue and raise awareness on anti-corruption issues. The EU network against corruption, set up as part of the EU anti-corruption adopted on 3 May 2023, brings together national authorities, practitioners, civil society, international organisations, EU agencies and relevant services of the European Commission.

This meeting in Cyprus focused on enhancing transparency and integrity standards and building public confidence.

The meeting started with a brief introduction by the Commission Representation in Cyprus, followed by a representative of the European Commission introducing the Cypriot Country Chapter of the Rule of Law Report 2025 and key recommendations.

Some challenges, such as shortages of the existing institutional framework and a lack of coordination, were discussed. After the discussion on challenges, the participants brainstormed possible solutions, including ideas such as efforts to continue to mobilise civil society for the required reforms, raising awareness among public and changing the culture on corruption and conflict of interest, the need to effectively implement to the right to be informed as well as accountability of public institutions and the need to further develop and implement the national strategy on anti-corruption. The participants also highlighted the role played by the EU Rule of Law reports and the GRECO evaluations to overcome these challenges.

The national meeting facilitated discussions in a collaborative and informal format to inspire more follow-up discussions.