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Refugees smuggling decreases in Aegean Sea but NATO cautions route changes

Xinhua, April 21, 2016 Adjust font size:

Human trafficking is decreasing significantly in Aegean Sea, but smugglers may rapidly change routes, NATO head said on Thursday.

"Figures showed that numbers of refugees crossing the Aegean Sea is now going significantly down," said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at at a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu in Ankara.

Stoltenberg said NATO ships in Aegean Sea support the efforts made by Frontex and Turkey in struggle against human smuggling, warning authorities not to reduce security measures.

Turkey has taken actions against human traffickers with information obtained by NATO ships, he added.

Stoltenberg highlighted that Syrian refugee crisis showed the urgent need for a peaceful solution in Syria, and a ceasefire remained the best way forward.

"Despite the announced withdrawal, we see that Russia maintains a considerable military presence backing Assad in Syria," he said.

Stoltenberg also stressed the need for an comprehensive approach in fighting against terrorism.

Cavusoglu said Turkey supports NATO activities in Aegean Sea, underlining the importance of real time intelligence sharing among NATO members.

The latest Islamic State (IS) attack in Brussels was an example of deficient real time intelligence sharing, he added. Endit