Amidst a host of regional geopolitical provocations, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras is reportedly poised to create a Greek National Security Council (NSC).
The idea has gained ground after the recent Turkish hostile actions in the Aegean and at the Evros border region, where Turkish forces took hostage two Greek officers.
Sources told To Vima that the moment that the NSC is announced, it will automatically be presided over by the sitting prime minister.
It will include the ministers of foreign affairs, defence, public order, shipping (which has the Coast Guard under its purview), the head of the EYP intelligence service, the military top brass, and the prime minister’s defence and foreign affairs advisors.
The plan is for the body to have substantial authority. Its meetings will not be announced.
The proposal for the creation of a National Security Council had been submitted to the PM in the past, as well as to previous prime ministers. The idea was always scuttled by either the foreign minister or the defence minister, who wanted no advisors involved with the issues under their remit.
The ramming of the Hellenic Coast Guard ship by the Turks near Imia, Ankara’s hostile posture around Cyprus, the Macedonian naming issue, the capture of two Greek army officers by Turkish troops, and open issues with Albania appear to have convinced the PM to move forward with the idea at this time.
The US, France, Germany, Israel, Russia, and Turkey are among the nations with established national security councils.
The move also comes after the PM’s office was informed that main opposition leader Kyriakos Mitsotakis has drafted a similar proposal, which he intends to implement if and when New Democracy comes to power.
Nikos Hasapopoulos
