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Cabinet approves establishment of National Security Council

ÓõíÝíôåõîç óôï ÊÕÐÅ – Êõâåñíçôéêüò Åêðñüóùðïò
Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis.

The Council of Ministers on Wednesday approved the establishment of a National Security Council, as confirmed by government spokesperson Constantinos Letymbiotis.

Members of the National Security Council will be tasked with briefing the president and the cabinet on issues concerning national security, defence and foreign policy, as well as negotiations for a solution to the Cyprus problem.

Moreover, it will analyse and plan a National Security Strategy and monitor the implementation of ad-hoc policies approved by the executive, as well as develop cooperative relations with similar bodies in other countries.

“The National Security Council’s mission will be to generate ideas, recommendations and practical proposals regarding matters of national security,” Letymbiotis told the media after the cabinet meeting chaired by President Nikos Christodoulides.

The National Security Council will respond directly to Christodoulides and will be headed by the national security advisor, who will be appointed by the president.

“The council will serve as an advisory body, in line with the president’s pre-election programme,” Letymbiotis said, adding that the upcoming National Security Strategy will also be subject to the approval of the cabinet.

“The National Security Council will need to possess the ability to identify existing and anticipate future needs within its areas of competence, as it will oversee the assignment of studies and research to select scholars, researchers, and experts following a directive from the president.

“We believe that the newly established council will act as the supreme body for political consultation on national security matters for our country. It will be self-sufficient, reliable and, above all, well-informed on aspects of the Cyprus problem and other related issues,” Letymbiotis said.

The spokesperson concluded by saying that up until now Cyprus was the only country in the EU and in the region not to have a National Security Council.

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