The Prime Minister emphasized that “in our Republic there are no shadows”.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke about the case of monitoring the mobile phone of PASOK president Nikos Androulakis.
Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized that the connection to Mr. Androulakis’s mobile phone, even though everything was done legally, was a mistake. As he said, in fact, characteristically “it was a mistake, I did not know about it and I would never allow it”.
See the statement:
The Prime Minister’s full statement:
“There are no shadows allowed in our Republic. That is why I want to talk to you openly about recent developments.
A few days ago, I was informed that in September 2021, and while he was still an MEP, the National Intelligence Service had made a legal connection to the mobile phone of Nikos Androulakis.
The procedure had the approval of a supreme prosecutor, exactly as stipulated by the provision passed in 2018 by the previous government. It lasted three months and was automatically suspended, as required by law, a few days after Mr. Androulakis was elected president of KINAL.
Although everything was done legally, the National Intelligence Service underestimated the political dimension of this action. It was formally adequate, but politically unacceptable. It should not have happened, causing cracks in public confidence in the National Security Services.
Because although it concerned a prominent political figure, its handling was incomplete. Precisely for this reason, the Commander of the EYP was immediately removed. While the Secretary General of the Prime Minister’s Office also assumed the objective political responsibility.
And since the word responsibility comes from the adjective straight, I repeat directly: what was done may have been in accordance with the letter of the law, but it was wrong. I was not aware of it and, obviously, I would never allow it!
The case highlighted, however, the lack of additional “filters” in the operation of the intelligence services. Because the monitoring of a political person certainly presupposes guarantees beyond the judgment of even an experienced and competent judicial officer.
On the other hand, though, I also want to be clear: the offering of the National Intelligence Service is important. It is emphatically reflected in Greece’s readiness to face challenges such as those in the Evros or the Aegean. In our permanent diplomatic and defense armour. But also in society’s daily battle with terrorism and crime.
A slippage, therefore, cannot overshadow a project of measurable national benefit. And one does not need to be an expert to realize how valuable reliable information is in the complex world in which we live.
This service is charged with national security and the protection of the homeland from geopolitical movements, but also from asymmetric and hybrid threats. That is why in most European Democracies similar structures are subordinate to the head of government or state, as the scope of their object exceeds the limits of a single Ministry.
But as valuable as the contribution of the National Intelligence Service was to strengthening the position of Greece, it becomes even more clear that not only the improvement of its operational efficiency is required, but also the overall re-evaluation of its control and supervision framework.
The new Commander is one of the most experienced Greek diplomats and has all the guarantees to carry out this mission.
At the same time, the government immediately agreed to the establishment of a Commission of Inquiry, which will obviously operate under the conditions imposed by the nature of the subject to be investigated.
Because such a responsible process cannot, must not be turned into a spy serial for party consumption. Nor, much more, to be a cause of degradation of the national contribution of the EYP and undermining aspects of national security.
The truth must be shown in its true dimensions. Only in this way will we be able to deal with the perennial pathologies of the intelligence service.
I personally will be open to any creative ideas that incorporate best practices from abroad and strengthen the accountability mechanisms of such a critical agency for national security.
So I will gladly discuss proposals that will enhance transparency in the operation of our secret services without, obviously, hindering their mission. Starting, of course, with the strictest strictures in terms of legal connections. This must be done and will be done immediately by an Act of Legislative Content.
So, I am submitting today 4 areas of change that the government will propose:
1st. Strengthening the accountability of the EYP and the supervision of the parliament through the Institutions and Transparency Committee.
2nd Upgrading the role of the National Security Council for better utilization of information and the Ministry of Defense.
3rd. Shielding the legitimate connections framework for political figures.
4th Changes within EYP to strengthen internal control, transparency, extroversion and training of its human resources.
I will be honest with you. There are many enemies of the country lurking around who would like a weak National Intelligence Service. And if some dark forces outside Greece strike any plan to destabilize the country, let them know that Greece is both strong and institutionally shielded.
We live in a dangerous world. But we are a Democratic state. And we have a sacred obligation to balance the security of the country and its citizens with the protection of the fundamental principles that protect the private sphere and the privacy of communications.
For three years now, after all, we have proven that we learn from our failures to become better. I, personally, never hid in the face of difficulties or responsibilities. In an often lonely but constant battle of self-criticism and striving for continuous improvement.
Losing, perhaps, for the moment some battles with chronic pathogens. Winning, however, the war of the big stakes. And above all, without ever losing sight of the goal of a strong, democratic, European and nationally independent Greece.
I will continue to walk this path, so that together we can build even more solid and time-resistant Democratic institutions”.
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