Greece and Cyprusdefined a framework of cooperation for implementing the Single European Emergency Number "112" through a Memorandum of Understanding, signed on Friday in Delphi.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Ioannou and the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection of the Hellenic Republic Vassilis Kikilias.

The Memorandum enhances cooperation between the two countries for implementing effectively the "112". "The aim is to implement on the part of the Republic of Cyprus a modern system of civil protection and a timely update of citizens in cases of emergency, by receiving and managing calls to '112 and sending public alert messages in cases of emergency", a press release issued by the Ministry of Interior of the Republic of Cyprus said

At the same time, the authorities of the two countries are given the opportunity to organize joint training seminars and programs in this area. The Memorandum of Understanding also sets out the agreement between the two parties to inform the public about the existence and operation of "112".

Minister Ioannou described the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding as very important, noting that it is expected to strengthen the policy of Cyprus to upgrade its civil protection system, to be more effective towards natural or anthropogenic crises.

Ioannou thanked Kikilias and his team for their cooperation and for providing expertise to the Civil Defence Force, so that the implementation of the civil protection system and the introduction of this mechanism could soon proceed.