An agreement signed on Tuesday on the Prevention and Combating Serious Crime between the US and Cyprus is part of the growing strategic partnership between the two countries and an example of the joint resolve to fight terrorism and transnational crime, a press release issued by the US embassy said.
US Ambassador Kathleen Doherty and Minister of Justice and Public Order Ionas Nicolaou signed an agreement on Preventing and Combating Serious Crime (PCSC), which will allow for the exchange of biometric and biographic data of suspected criminals between the United States and Cyprus to bolster counterterrorism and law enforcement efforts while protecting individual privacy, it added.
Under the agreement, Cyprus and the United States will leverage state-of-the-art technology to share law enforcement data, including fingerprints, to better identify known terrorist and criminals during investigations and other law enforcement activities. The agreement authorizes the use of specific mechanisms for sharing vital information to help prevent serious threats to public security, and requires measures to ensure the protection and privacy of citizens in both countries. In fact, the PCSC contains numerous provisions pertaining to the handling, sharing, and retention of relevant data, all designed to ensure privacy and data protection.
Beyond its important practical value, it added, “this agreement is part of the growing strategic partnership between the United States and Cyprus and an example of our joint resolve to fight terrorism and transnational crime”.
The United States has signed agreements to prevent and combat serious crime with more than 40 countries. Among the other international partners that have concluded similar agreements with the U.S. are Germany, Japan, Finland, Spain, Estonia, Greece, and South Korea. These agreements – negotiated by the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State – prevent individuals who commit serious crimes in one signatory country from continuing illicit acts in another and reaffirm the strong commitment of the United States to reciprocal partnerships that advance the safety and security of the United States and its allies.
CNA/EC/MM/2015
ENDS, CYPRUS NEWS AGENCY