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Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-23
CONTENTS
[01] NATO chief: Refugees, migrants who have set sail from Turkey will
be returned
[01] NATO chief: Refugees, migrants who have set sail from Turkey will
be returned
BRUSSELS (ANA-MPA/M. Spinthourakis) – NATO General Secretary Jens
Stoltenberg clarified on Tuesday that third country nationals who have
set sail from Turkey in a bid to illegally reach Greek territory will
be returned to the Turkish coast once rescued, according to an agreement
signed between the two sides.
He also said NATO's role in the refugee crisis does not consist of
arresting people and stopping vessels, but of assisting the work of the
Greek and Turkish coast guards, as well as Frontex.
Speaking at the European Parliament, Stoltenberg said it is primarily
about sharing information relating to the identification and monitoring
of vessels sailing in the region. He noted however, that if NATO ships
locate people at sea who are in peril, they will be rescued, in accordance
with international law.
The NATO chief added that the success of the operation depends on Greece,
Turkey and Frontex. Considering that Greece is a member of the EU and
Turkey isn't, NATO's role also consists on bridging that gap, he added,
and said the alliance will participate with two to five ships.
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