NATO Dep Sec Gen on the Aegean, Syria and Turkey [vid]
- By Eleni Panayiotou
NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Goettemoeller talks about maritime borders between Greece and Turkey, current challenges in the Cypriot EEZ, the Skopje issue and the possibility of additional NATO bases in Greece.
NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Goettemoeller talks about maritime borders between Greece and Turkey, current challenges in the Cypriot EEZ, the Skopje issue and the possibility of additional NATO bases in Greece.
Considering the recent incidents in the Aegean Sea during the interview with Greek journalist Nikos Evagelatos, the NATO Dep Sec Gen Rose Goettemoeller was questioned on whether she considers that the Turkish - Greek border is clear for NATO, she replied that "the maritime borders have long been determined and we do not again in any way take a position on these maritime borders", adding that "We are intent on ensuring that our allies, if they have differences of opinion among them, that they work through them but NATO is an alliance that stands for the rule of law and from our perspective that’s clear."
Regarding the Cyprus EEZ, and the latest Turkish aggression surrounding the italian the drilling rig, Ms. Rose Goettemoeller stated that "NATO monitors such incidents when they occur", and stressed that the Alliance is concerned that such an event can lead to escalation and even a crisis. However, Ms. Rose Goettemoeller said that "what we do from NATO HQ we have to find ways to work through these problems" and underlined that taking sides in the dispute is not an option "No matter who it is inside the alliance", she stated.
As far as an incident in the Aegean Sea is concerned Ms Goettemoeller replied that there is always concern about such incidents and emphasised that NATO has "been watching incidents in the Baltic and Black Sea now for several years becoming more heightened as the Russian Federation brings more capability to bear in forward areas such as in Kaliningrad up in the Baltic Sea area and in Crimea in the Black Sea". "The main point among NATO allies is we want to avoid any kind of situation where there could be heightened situation of tension", she added.
Replying to a question about NATO plans concerning additional NATO bases in Greece, the NATO Deputy Secretary General stated that "this is a matter that lies entirely with the Greek government ... If the Greek government have suggestions for something new, then we will hear them".
Concerning NATO's position on the FYROM name issue dispute, Ms Goettemoeller replied that the Alliance could not proceed with NATO's open-door policy with Skopje until the name issue is resolved. At another point in the interview, she also said "that it would be good for security and stability in the Western Balkans if Skopje were to join NATO. It is good for the whole of the Western Balkans and for Greece if this issue can be resolved. "
Finally on Turkey's operation in Syria, the NATO Deputy Secretary General, said that Turkey has "Turkey has legitimate security concerns to address but we do also stress that as they are addressing them they must continue to bear in mind the necessity of preventing civilian casualties" and added that Turkey must resolve this issue bilaterally by addressing other allies, "the United Staes for example and Turkey have been talking intensively about what to do in order to lessen tension in the area and resolve the concerns that Turkey has", she said.
