BERLIN

The German government announced on Wednesday the creation of a national security council to enhance coordination and planning on security and defense matters.

At a news conference in Berlin, Chancellor Friedrich Merz emphasized that his Cabinet made the significant decision in just four months, despite the fact that establishing such a council had been discussed for three decades.

“This body will be a central platform for the German government to address overarching national security issues at the interface between internal, external, economic, and digital security,” he said, adding that in today's complex world, security challenges cannot be handled by any single ministry or agency alone.

“The establishment of this National Security Council will enable forward-looking strategic work to be carried out, for example through the updating of our national security strategy. The National Security Council will be an important building block for our approach to a coherent security policy,” Merz said.

His remarks followed a Cabinet meeting at the Defense Ministry -- the first held there in nearly two decades -- underscoring the government's heightened focus on security policy in response to growing global threats.

Ahead of the meeting, which was held in the ministry's bug-proof "submarine" conference room, NATO's top military commander, Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, briefed ministers on current security challenges.

Chancellor Merz told reporters that Gen. Grynkewich has been serving as the supreme allied commander Europe since July, and his insights were highly valuable to the German government in assessing current security threats.

“His assessment was very clear. Russia is and will remain the greatest threat to freedom, peace, and stability in Europe for a long time to come. And the German government is responding to this with determination,” Merz said.

The conservative leader stated that Germany has already taken significant steps to increase defense spending and modernize its armed forces. He also promised ongoing efforts to strengthen transatlantic ties and continue military support for Ukraine.

“We stand firmly by Ukraine's side, and we are doing our utmost to strengthen the transatlantic partnership,” he added.