NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg keeps an even distance on Greek-Turkish relations, avoiding condemning Turkish provocations, and calling on both sides "to resolve their differences in the Aegean in a spirit of trust and allied solidarity."
In an exclusive interview with the Athens-Macedonian News Agency,[/B] Stoltenberg downplayed Turkey's provocations, calling them "disagreements between countries" and said, among other things, that "there have been accidents with Greek and Turkish forces in the past and we must do everything we can to help reduce the risk of such accidents in the future. It is in everyone's interest to avoid the recurrence of such situations."
At the same time, he stresses that under today's difficult circumstances allies should not make provocative statements or actions. Stoltenberg underlines Greece's particularly positive role in the current crisis conditions in Ukraine and Europe, calling it a "pillar of stability" and a "reliable ally" in NATO's southeastern wing.
At the same time, he notes that it is necessary to find a solution for the immediate admission of Finland and Sweden to NATO, with appropriate responses to Turkey's "serious concerns" about terrorism.
He announces that NATO, through the new Strategic Concept, will seek to strengthen its unity and find solutions to the multiple complex problems and challenges of the new security era.
"Greece is a pillar of stability"
Below is the full interview of the NATO Secretary General to Maria Aroni for the Athens and Macedonian News Agency.:
Over the past two years, with a rapid culmination since the start of the war in Ukraine, the geostrategic importance of Greece and its military infrastructure have been the focus of interest for both the Alliance and the US. How do you, Mr. Secretary General, perceive Greece's current stabilizing role in the southeastern wing of the Alliance?
[A] Greece is a strong and valuable NATO ally. It is strategically located on the Balkan Peninsula, at the crossroads of Europe, Asia and Africa, and contributes to our common security in many different ways. Greek troops play an important role in NATO missions, including Kosovo and Iraq. In addition, Greece makes a valuable contribution to our maritime missions, including our deployment in the Aegean Sea, helping to curb illegal human trafficking in Europe. In the air, Greek fighter aircraft help keep the skies safe over Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania. Greece also sets an example in terms of defence spending, meeting its 2% of GDP target and investing in significant new capabilities, including fifth-generation aircraft.
Greek ports are important hubs for allied naval forces, as seen for example by the deployment of US and French aircraft carriers in Greek waters earlier this year. I also welcome Greece's growing role as an energy hub, helping to reduce Europe's dependence on Russian supplies. All of this shows Greece's commitment to keeping NATO strong as we continue to adapt our Alliance to respond to a changing security environment."
"Disagreements between countries" - He did not condemn Turkish provocations
Q.: Lately we have been witnessing an increasingly destabilizing role of an ally, Turkey, which is dangerously increasing tension in the region with repeated threatening statements against Greek sovereignty over the Greek Aegean islands, numerous provocative overflights of fighter jets not only deep into Greek national airspace but over inhabited Greek islands and an increased flow of illegal migrants towards Greece's borders once again. Wouldn't it be reasonable to assume that NATO is currently making every effort to prevent Turkey from continuing these incomprehensible and dangerous practices? We should not be surprised that sometimes there are strong disagreements between our countries. But different opinions and debates are an essential part of our democracies. Both Greece and Turkey have been committed Allies for decades and every day, Greece and Turkey work together in NATO, along with 28 other Allies, to address the most pressing security challenges.
The Mediterranean is vital to NATO. Greece, Turkey, many Allies and other countries operate there on a regular basis. There have been accidents involving Greek and Turkish forces in the past and we must do all we can to help reduce the risk of such accidents in the future. It is in everyone's interest to prevent the recurrence of such situations. In 2020, NATO helped establish a military disengagement mechanism between Greece and Turkey to reduce the risk of incidents in the Eastern Mediterranean. This includes an open line of communication between Greece and Turkey to facilitate disengagement at sea or in the air.
We urge Greece and Turkey to resolve their differences in the Aegean in a spirit of trust and allied solidarity. This means restraint, moderation and refraining from any action or rhetoric that could escalate the situation. At a time when (Russian President Vladimir) Putin's war against Ukraine has shattered the peace in Europe, it is even more important for the Allies to be united."
For Finland and Sweden
Q.: Finland and Sweden's applications to join NATO risk remaining a pending issue for an indefinite period of time, with the risk that these countries will be exposed to increased Russian hostility if Turkey does not lift its very serious objections to their rapid accession. How does NATO plan both to persuade Turkey to lift its obstacles and to help these two candidate partners maintain an acceptable level of assurances in this new, unexpectedly sensitive security "vacuum"?
[A] The decisions of Finland and Sweden to apply for NATO membership are historic and their accession will strengthen our Alliance. Now we must address the security concerns of all allies, including Turkey's serious concerns about the PKK terrorist organization, and find a unified way forward. Turkey has suffered from the PKK and has suffered more from terrorism than any other Ally. So Turkey has legitimate concerns, which all Allies must take seriously.
My colleagues and I remain in close dialogue with representatives of Turkey, Finland and Sweden in order to address Turkish concerns, but also to move forward with the integration of the two countries.
The security of Finland and Sweden is important to NATO and many Allies have already made clear commitments to this. NATO remains vigilant and we have increased our presence in the region, including through more exercises.
Finland and Sweden have participated in several allied exercises in recent days, including BALTOPS, in which 7,500 people from 14 allies (Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Latvia, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States of America and the United Kingdom) took part. This is a strong demonstration of NATO's commitment to this region.
New Strategic Doctrine
Q: How can NATO's new Strategic Doctrine, to be presented at the upcoming Madrid Summit, contribute to strengthening the Euro-Atlantic security architecture and restoring the values-based international world order and the rule of law? Can a more meaningful NATO-EU cooperation advance the overall security situation in Europe?
We will take important decisions at the NATO Summit in Madrid, including the adoption of the new Strategic Concept. Together with the North Atlantic Treaty, the Strategic Doctrine is NATO's most important document. It reaffirms NATO's values, purpose and tasks. It will provide a collective assessment of the security environment and serve as a blueprint for the future adaptation of the Alliance.
The 2010 Strategic Doctrine was based on the premise that Europe is at peace. But Putin's war against Ukraine has shattered that peace. Also, the 2010 Doctrine did not once mention China. Today, China's growing influence is reshaping the world, with direct consequences for our security and democracies. Moreover, other challenges such as cyber threats and climate change were barely mentioned in the 2010 Doctrine and are now impossible to ignore.
NATO represents the rules-based international order. In an era of strategic competition, maintaining this order will require even closer cooperation with like-minded partner countries and with the European Union. NATO-EU cooperation is already at unprecedented levels on a range of issues, including support for Ukraine, peacekeeping in the Western Balkans and maritime security. I also welcome the European Union's efforts in the field of defence, which can lead to greater defence investment and capabilities. In response to Russia's war against Ukraine, we need even stronger multilateral institutions and even deeper cooperation in Europe and across the Atlantic.
Multiple challenges
Q.: Climate change, the energy and food crisis as a direct consequence of the war in Ukraine, extremist ideologies leading to terrorist movements and heinous acts of violence, and irregular mass migration are some of the issues that will inevitably soon translate into serious security challenges for all Allies. Is NATO in a position to deal with the serious challenges looming on the horizon such as those that may come from China and Iran, or other authoritarian states? Will the new Strategic Doctrine address these issues in a convincing manner?
A: Today we face an increasingly complex security environment, with many challenges at the same time. We do not have the luxury of choosing which one to deal with first. Russia's brutal and illegal war against Ukraine has created the most serious security crisis in Europe since World War II. At the same time, we face threats and challenges from terrorism, cyber-attacks, China's coercive policies, disruptive technologies, the impact of climate change on security.
Together, these challenges are greater than any country or any continent can face alone. But in NATO, Greece is not alone. Together in the Alliance, our nations in Europe and North America are adapting cohesively as one in an increasingly dangerous world. The transatlantic bond has preserved our freedom and security for more than seventy years, and by standing together, we will continue to preserve peace, prevent conflict, and protect our people and values.
Source: in.gr
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