The first joint patrols of police officers from Greece and Italy have been put into effect, in the framework of the continuously strengthening cooperation of the two countries on issues of public security. The initiative is part of the closer operational partnership of Athens and Rome for the confrontation of organised crime, terrorism, drug trafficking and other forms of cross-border criminality, with the aim of strengthening the security of both citizens and visitors.

According to an announcement of the Italian Embassy, the action is coordinated by the Service of International Police Cooperation (SCIP), which falls under the Central Directorate of Criminal Police of the Department of Public Security of Italy. During the first phase of the program, the joint patrols are taking place in Athens, where officers of the Italian Police operate together with members of the Hellenic Police in areas of the capital that concentrate a large number of tourists and present increased visitor traffic, with the aim of immediate support to the visitors and the strengthening of the sense of security.

This specific initiative constitutes the application of the Memorandum of Cooperation that was signed in May 2025 by the Minister of the Interior of Italy, Matteo Piantedosi, and the Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis. The agreement provides for the strengthening of public order, the more effective prevention and combating of criminality, as well as the facilitation of communication and the provision of assistance to citizens of the two countries when they come into contact with the police authorities of the country in which they find themselves.

The ambassador of Italy to Greece, Paolo Cuculi, welcomed the two Italian police officers who are participating in the joint patrols in the center of Athens, in the presence of the director of the Athens Police Directorate, brigadier Nikos Giannopoulos. He thanked the leadership of the Hellenic Police for the excellent cooperation and the warm hospitality that it provided to the members of the Italian Police, pointing out that the joint operational presence on the streets of Athens constitutes practical proof of the close cooperation of the two states and of the common will for the protection of the security of citizens and visitors. At the same time, he expressed the expectation that this specific model of cooperation will be further expanded and strengthened in the coming years, constituting an example for even closer cross-border police cooperation.

A corresponding operational program is already being applied also in the Italian capital, where members of the Hellenic Police are carrying out joint patrols with officers of the Italian Police in Rome, contributing to the strengthening of security, to the better service of Greek visitors and to the further deepening of the cooperation between the two security forces.