Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence

The Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (Greek: Κυβερνητικό Συμβούλιο Εξωτερικών και Άμυνας), usually known by its acronym KYSEA (ΚΥΣΕΑ), is the supreme decision-making body on issues of foreign policy and national defence of Greece. It was established in 1986 by initiative of Prime Minister Andreas Papandreou. Since its creation, its composition has changed many times. The president of the Council is the Prime Minister.

Composition

After the latest overhaul of its membership in July 2012, it comprises:

• the Prime Minister of Greece as chairman
• the Deputy Prime Minister of Greece (if the office exists)
• the Minister for Foreign Affairs
• the Minister for Finance
• the Minister for National Defence
• the Minister for the Interior
• the Minister for Administrative Reform and e-Governance
• the Minister for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change
• the Minister for Public Order and Citizen Protection
• the Minister of State
• the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff

As non-voting members:

• the General Secretary to the Prime Minister
• the heads of the Strategy Planning Office and Diplomatic Office of the Prime Minister's Political Office
• the Prime Minister's Defence Advisor

The General Secretary of the Government performs the functions of secretary of the KYSEA.