“During the meeting of NATO Ministers of Defence, the action taken in the Aegean Sea was discussed, among other things. It is generally acknowledged that NATO action in the Aegean Sea between the Greek islands and the coast of Asia Minor was absolutely successful and it reduced migrant flows from 5,000-8,000 migrants and refugees per day to 0-25 migrants and refugees, in most cases. This clearly demonstrates that its activity must be continued.
The Turkish side, contrary to all the other allies, estimates that this activity must be stopped after the summit in Warsaw. It is, therefore, absolutely clear that, from the very beginning, the purpose of Greece’s decision to support this agreement was, on the one hand, the objective which has been achieved, namely to stop the migrant flows and, on the other hand, for the allies to form an opinion by themselves on what is happening in the Aegean Sea, in particular regarding violations, breaches, overflights and Turkey’s general attitude as ally towards another ally, Greece.
This reinforces Greece’s positions and vindicates Greece. I hope, I wish and I am sure that this action will be continued to the benefit of whole Europe, for the migration flows to stop, which do not lead to anything anyway. This message is clear.
As far as issues of the Mediterranean are concerned, Greece’s effort since 17 months to build an axis of stability with allied countries, such as Bulgaria and Romania in the North, as well as with non-EU or non-NATO member-states, such as Israel, Egypt, Jordan in the South, upgrades Greece’s role as a power of stability in the Mediterranean. It also upgrades the role of Cyprus that participates in bilateral and trilateral agreements as part of this policy.”
