Jens Stoltenberg: Dialogue is not a sign of weakness. Dialogue is a sign of self-confidence

NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, has emphasized the importance of NATO’s role in the current refugee crisis.

At the Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) the 23rd of February, NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, emphasized the importance of NATO’s role in the current refugee crisis, especially in the areas of the Aegean Sea, Turkey, Greece, and Syria.

Stoltenberg refers to NATO’s efforts to negotiate peaceful solutions by political dialogue. He mentions the agreement on cessation of hostilities in Syria and claims that dialogue also enables NATO to link Greece and Turkey together. For example, NATO forces assist the local authorities, like the Turkish and Greek coastguard, by helping them to stop the illegal trafficking.

Stoltenberg states, that NATO forces will rescue refugees in the Aegean Sea and return them to Turkey, if they come from Turkey. However, he encourages at the same time Turkey and Greece to work out a solution between them and appeals to Greece to agree to the EU-Turkey agreement.

He also emphasizes NATO’s presence in Turkey as a means to prevent aggressions from Syria. Stoltenberg underlines the need for NATO to be a strong alliance in able to obtain a successful dialogue and result. This means a strong defense and increasing spending in security.