PM in Parliament: “We will not make flyers of Intelligence memos”

In his speech to the Parliament, Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke in support of the National Intelligence Agency-EYP and not its dissolution. He admitted that mistakes were made and that there must be changes, but he referred to the important role that the EYP plays in National Security.

He specifically said:

“The Androulakis case highlighted a serious gap in protocol. The procedure started normally with the approval of the prosecutor through a government decision promulgated by SYRIZA. But the fact that the surveillance involved a prominent politician was downplayed. The EYP should have had filters and show other reflexes in this serious matter. That is why my placement was about a legal but politically unacceptable procedure. The reinstatement of the 2nd prosecutor is another such filter.

All over the world, secret service activities are shrouded in secrecy. The same applies to those and what they research. Their executives are bound by lifelong confidentiality. Let no impressions be made. As necessary as it is, so objectively difficult is the public approach and understanding of actions of this nature.

Those who do not accept this are not telling the truth,” noted Mr. Mitsotakis and explained that “from the very first moment that the government and I became aware of it, we invited the interested party to be informed personally. At the same time, we changed the flexible procedure of SYRIZA. We agreed on the initiation of all parliamentary procedures, while the judiciary was also activated at the level of the Supreme Court prosecutor.”

“The case is being investigated by an integrity prosecutor and we must succor its work and not undermine it. As for the legality of this link, if Mr. Androulakis insists on questioning it, I invite him to appeal to Greek or European courts. The above helps anyone who wants to see things soberly. Of course there is a need for transparency. In the name of transparency, we will not make public flyers of the EYP memos. As you did in the Committee on Institutions where MPs broadcast to you in real time and then you want to appear as protectors of the institutions that you are undermining”, said the Prime Minister to the applause of the MPs the ruling party.

“I imagine we will find procedures to secure the secrecy of these meetings. Public figures should not be separated by a shield of their status and be invulnerable. If you believe the opinion of Mr. Venizelos that on principle no politician should be monitored, say so. But let’s first think about how the Golden Dawn party was dismantled,” he said.

“A small subset of the wiretappings are undertaken by EYP, the rest are undertaken by other services. Greece is a modern European Republic and because it is a Republic it has the power to identify and cover its weaknesses with structural reforms. Given these four truths I have announced an equal number of fields for change. Additional safeguards for legitimate wiretappings that will not invalidate the contribution of agency. Constant communication of the agency with competent parliamentary bodies” are some of the changes he announced.