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NATO chief discusses Aegean mission, Syria situation with Turkish PM

Xinhua, March 8, 2016 Adjust font size:

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Monday discussed the NATO mission in Aegean to tackle the migrant crisis and the Syrian situation with visiting Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu.

Turkey is "bearing the brunt of the greatest refugee and migrant crisis since the Second World War in Europe," Stoltenberg told the joint press conference.

He also praised Turkey's commitment to NATO's surveillance deployment in the Aegean Sea.

NATO defense ministers agreed to provide support to assist with the refugee crisis in Europe in February.

NATO's Standing Maritime Group 2 is conducting reconnaissance, monitoring and surveillance of the illegal crossings in the Aegean sea in cooperation with relevant authorities.

Stoltenberg said NATO ships are currently collecting information and conducting monitoring to support Turkey, Greece and the EU's border agency Frontex in their efforts to tackle human trafficking and the criminal networks.

"We are expanding the area of activity into the territorial waters of Turkey and Greece, in close coordination with both Allies. So NATO is starting activities in territorial waters today, " NATO chief said.

As part of NATO support to assist with the refugee and migrant crisis, NATO Allies have decided to intensify intelligence, surveillance and monitoring along the Turkish-Syrian border.

"This will complement the assurance measures for Turkey we decided late last year, including more AWACS presence and an increased naval presence," said Stoltenberg, adding that NATO will also continue to augment Turkey's air defenses with Patriot anti-ballistic missile deployment.

Stoltenberg stressed that the Syrian ceasefire remains the best possible basis for renewing efforts to reach a negotiated, peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria. Endit