Posted on 02/25/2016 8:28:31 AM PST by Trumpinator
Thu Feb 25, 2016 9:51am EST
NATO overcomes Greek-Turkish tension to set terms of Aegean mission
BRUSSELS | By Robin Emmott
NATO allies have overcome territorial sensitivities between Greece and Turkey and agreed on how their ships will help counter the criminal networks smuggling refugees into Europe across the Aegean Sea, NATO's chief said on Thursday.
After late-night talks in Brussels, NATO envoys set out how ships already sent to the Aegean, including Turkish and Greek vessels, will pass reconnaissance to Turkish and Greek coastguards and to the European Union border agency, Frontex, as well as returning to Turkey any migrants NATO crews rescue.
"Greek and Turkish forces will not operate in each other's territorial waters and airspace," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement, after ambassadors settled the details of a mission defense ministers announced on Feb. 11.
NATO diplomats said one of the issues was where Greek and Turkish ships should patrol, and whether that would set a precedent for claims over disputed territorial waters.
Stoltenberg said any NATO vessels, other than Greek or Turkish ships, would be able to sail in any territorial waters.
Germany, which has pushed the plan to complement an EU accord with Turkey to stem the flow of refugees arriving in Europe, hopes the mission will effectively seal the maritime border, although NATO says its crews will stop migrant boats only if they are in distress.
"NATO's task is not to turn back the boats," Stoltenberg said.
(Excerpt) Read more at reuters.com ...
What would happen if Russia decided to militarily back Greek territorial claims in the disputes with Turkey, and the Russians and Greeks ended up fighting the Turks?
It would kind of put NATO in a quandary, because while they don’t like Russia, bombing Greece is out of the question because they are a NATO member also.
Imagine Russia coming from the north, Greeks coming from the west, and Iran coming from the east, and the Kurds coming from the south.
Dismantle Turkey as a country and then split off Turkish Kurdistan to join the Syrian and Iraqi pieces.
Why is Turkey still part of NATO?
How about liberating occupied Cyprus?
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The US would orchestrate an overthrow of the Greek govt. Same as was done before. The support for the Greek junta by the US is kind of the basis for anti-Americanism in Greece.
Why is there still a NATO?
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