“I welcomed today in Athens the NATO Secretary General, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg, on his first official visit to Greece, after taking up the duties of the new Government.
We exchanged views with the Secretary-General on all issues concerning the Alliance and our role in it. Of course, we also discussed what is happening in northeast Syria with the operations of Turkish troops.
In the context of the European Union’s reaction, Greece condemns the violation of borders and treaties. It is the obligation of the international community – but also of NATO – to exert every influence now to enforce a ceasefire. In order to avoid escalating instability and avoiding human losses and new refugee flows. But also in order not to cancel the painstaking efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis peacefully. Events that lead to violent demographic change are, moreover, an additional violation of international law and recall historic memories unworthy of modern civilization.
This is one of the new threats that emerge in a security environment different from what we have known so far. With Mr Stoltenberg we have agreed that NATO is called upon to adapt to these new facts in order to maintain its principles, their effectiveness and their validity. But it also continues to exercise its deterrent and defensive ability.
We also discussed the situation in our neighborhood – in the Balkans and, most notably, in the Eastern Mediterranean – where Greece’s strategic role and significant added value were again recognized as a factor of stability. I even informed the Secretary General of Turkey’s illegal actions in the Cypriot maritime zones. Actions that grossly violate international law. They are creating tension but also undermining the UN’s guidelines for restarting the talks for the Cyprus Matter.
Referring to the geostrategic advantages of our country, I reiterated its commitment to the principle of solidarity, which remains a cornerstone of the Alliance. In this context I presented to Mr Stoltenberg the situation in the Aegean. Noting – once again – that any conduct outside international law and international treaties is not only barrel but also potentially dangerous.
Greece has historically opposed the use of threats or violence and in favor of a peaceful resolution of all disputes, as provided by the Washington Founding Treaty. It is – and this is something recognized by NATO – one of the few members who contribute more than 2% of their GDP to annual defense spending. It is, in other words, a consistent and stable ally, but also a sovereign state with unquestionably national rights.
I remain under the impression that the Secretary-General these Greek national sensibilities. But it also has a profound knowledge of developments throughout the Eastern Mediterranean, as I have seen in our discussion of our visit to Cairo as part of the Greece-Cyprus-Egypt Tripartite Summit.
I thanked the Secretary-General in particular for supporting NATO in addressing migration flows to our maritime borders. I called for the Alliance to become more involved in tackling this international problem. I also talked to him about the specific plan our Government is already promoting on this.
Finally, we renewed our appointment for the NATO Summit in London in December, marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of the Alliance, assuring the Secretary-General that Greece would continue to be a credible member of NATO. Always and firmly serving peace and cooperation.
Journalist: It’s a question for both of you. I would like you to tell me if you are really worried about Turkey’s stance on Syria and the wider Eastern Mediterranean. If you think that the crisis may escalate in the region, and if Mr Mitsotakis, I’m asking you, the verbal condemnation of the European Union or even of NATO is enough. If, in other words, you think that there should be a practical condemnation, such as various measures that should be taken against Ankara next time.
Prime Minister: Greece has from the very first moment condemned this new unilateral military action by Turkey within the Syrian territory. We fully endorsed the position of the European Union. It is clear that the solution in Syria must be a political one, and any unilateral military action does not help in this direction. On the contrary, in a country that is deeply wounded by an eight-year civil war – which has led to the largest refugee flows we have experienced in decades – any such move is likely to trigger a new humanitarian crisis and make the political solution of the Syrian crisis even more difficult.
I also want to focus in particular on what the Secretary-General of NATO has said: In addition to the political solution to an extremely complex problem, the international community has in common the complete eradication of all ISIS – Daesh outbreaks, which are extreme terrorist attacks in Syrian territory. It is by no means certain that this intervention – recognizing the situation on the ground – may not allow forces which are currently defeated and scattered to find an opportunity to rebuild. The war and the front of the international community, NATO and of the European Union, and all countries interested in tackling this, must be urgent and strong. I am afraid that this move does not serve this purpose. Beyond that, it is clear that these issues are also being discussed at a European level. After all, as you know Mr Kotarides, there is a European Summit next week that will certainly raise – following national initiatives – the problem of the refugee crisis immigration, so de facto and reflective, that developments in Syria will also be discussed.
Journalist: In the morning we heard you say that you think the European Union will react immediately to the Turkish provocation. At the Summit, do we expect to hear from you any specific sanctions? And if so, in what direction will they be?
Prime Minister: One comment on the first part of your question too (see question addressed to Mr Stoltenberg). I understand that NATO is a great alliance, the most successful defense alliance in world history. Obviously, when two participating countries have issues, they should be in a position to take account of the countries’ concerns. Greece permanently raises these concerns within NATO. At one point or another the leveling tactic can be expected to a certain extent, but I think it is a tactic that is unfair to Greece. Because Greece is currently the victim of violations of International Law. The same is true for Cyprus with regard to Turkish violations. Whether we are talking about territorial waters or talking about airspace or talking about overflights, these are issues we always keep in mind with the Alliance.
Obviously, in order for an alliance to function effectively, it is crucial if relations between its member states are normalized. For the second question I’m not ready to answer yet, it’s too early. Issues will also be discussed in the relevant European Institutions. In any case, Europe’s response to this issue will be organized and coordinated. Greece and Europe urge Turkey to stop this business immediately, before we face a major humanitarian crisis.
Journalist: Mr President, Mr Secretary General, how can NATO play a more effective role in stopping migration flows more and across the Aegean? Little has been done so far, as it is confined mainly to the northern part of the Asia Minor coast and not close to the coasts in order to prevent the flows and that of the slave traders.
Prime Minister: Let me start this time. I discussed with the Secretary-General the scope of NATO’s mission in the Aegean. I think it was a useful mission, and we would be wrong about its importance if we said it played basically no role at all. I do not share this view, which is why I have asked and I urge the Secretary-General, the Alliance and the Member States, of course, to strengthen their presence in the context of SNMG2, the NATO mission in the Aegean with more ships. As you probably know there is no numerical limit to how many ships can participate in this mission. This is an issue that also concerns the member states of the Alliance and an issue that I will raise for discussion with our allies in NATO as part of the London Summit.
I find the presence of NATO important now.
I find it important that both Greek and Turkish officers are on board these ships at the same time, thereby facilitating understanding in the context of the European Union and Turkey’s declaration, which I still believe is the key point of reference that we must keep alive if we really want to limit the new outflow of flows we see in the Aegean. Of course we always ask for the expansion of the mission to the southern Aegean so that we can cover the full range of the maritime borders of our country, but recognizing though at the same time that the presence of ships in the northern Aegean, where we currently have the biggest problem, has its particular importance.
