The British model has been selected by Maximos Palace as the best model for intelligence and national security matters to change the National Intelligence Service (NIS) in an optimal and, above all, effective manner. The spying case on the phone of PASOK President Nikos Androulakis revealed what the government claims were years of malfunctions and pathologies that need to be fixed. Apart from, of course, the blow dealt to the government due to the emerging transparency issues, it is also quite clear that the EYP in its current form and mode of operation does not play the role it should and is in line with its mission. That is to say, it is doubtful that the existing way of organizing allows the EMP to practically do its job, which is nothing less than the protection of national security.

The British model was not chosen by chance, but after a thorough investigation and contacts of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s closest associates at Megaros Maximos. In an effort to find the right people to advise the government, the prime minister took the initiative and met with a senior UK security and intelligence official.

The British expert has extensive experience in counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, intelligence and security reform and is credited with bringing about the changes that brought the UK intelligence services out of obsolescence into the 21st century. This is certainly a man who is still highly respected and highly decorated in the UK today, an MI5 officer who throughout the 1980s and 1990s dealt with terrorist threats emanating from the riots in Northern Ireland. but also international terrorism. His contribution to the reform of MI5 is also linked to more general developments in the field of counterterrorism, as they were launched after the September 11, 2001 attacks. Although he has retired from active duty, he still informally advises the British government.

Although the name of the British expert is kept secret for reasons related to the work he undertook for the Greek government, it is clear from a brief description of his experience that he is an official who comes from the backbone of the state. his state is the United Kingdom. Despite the fact that his work is connected with MI5, Maxim Palace wants to move to solutions that will clearly separate internal security issues from national security issues, that is, those related to possible external threats. It is recalled that in the United Kingdom, MI5 aims to protect against terrorism at home, while the Secret Intelligence Service, known as MI6, collects information from abroad.

The informal consultant is an experienced counter-terrorism and cyber security expert.

During a meeting a few days ago in Athens, Mr. Mitsotakis and an experienced British expert discussed in detail the current situation of the Greek intelligence services and the problems they face. Based on the findings, the British expert will conduct a brief assessment of the intelligence and security system in Greece, with a focus on the interoperability of different services, and will present proposals for changes in the security and intelligence services, with a focus on efficiency, accountability and transparency in the context of further strengthening the national security system against asymmetric threats using the British model.

In practice, the former high-ranking MI5 official is being asked to make several suggestions that will answer the four questions Mr Mitsotakis presented on Aug. 8 in his statement on EYP ties as it unfolded after the revelations about his spy phone. number of Mr. Androulakis. Essentially, Mr. Mitsotakis then announced four areas of change. First, strengthening the accountability of the EYP and oversight of the Parliament through the Committee on Institutions and Transparency. Second, increase the role of the National Security Council for better use of information and EYP. Thirdly, the protection of the framework of legal connections of political figures. And fourthly, changes within EYP to increase internal control, transparency, extroversion and training of their human resources.

At the time, Mr. Mitsotakis also announced that his government’s initiative was to seek best practices and open a dialogue in which everyone would make proposals for reforms and changes. Among the areas where the EEM is “lame” and, in the opinion of the government, it should be strengthened are hybrid threats, as they are now becoming visible at the European level, as third parties try to undermine democracy. The proposals of the British expert from Maximos Palace on accountability and transparency are awaited with particular interest, areas that the government wishes to further strengthen through initiatives such as the establishment of an internal control unit within the EPM.