ATHENS – Greek Defense Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos wants NATO allies to help defend the country’s sea border to prevent Turkey – a NATO member – from sending more refugees and migrants to Greek islands.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg had already refused to intervene to try to stop Turkey from sending fighter jets and warships into Greek airspace and waters but now Greece is girding for what could be another wave of refugees and migrants.
Turkey has been allowing human traffickers to keep sending them during an essentially-suspended 2016 swap deal with the European Union and Greek officials were said to be on watch after masses were being herded toward Turkey’s coast.
The fear is that Turkey, which failed to get 10,000 migrants across Greece’s land border in late February, will now turn to try to flood already Greek islands, holding some 42,000, with more, with worry that it will include those infected with COVID-19.
Speaking during a secure video conference of the alliance’s ministers – it wasn’t said if it included anyone from Turkey – Panagiotopoulos said another major push to get refugees over the land border was stopped in March.
He said Greece was on alert that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, trying to deal with the Coronavirus pandemic, will now target Greek islands with more although Greece’s Coast Guard and Navy have stepped up patrols.
The NATO meeting, said Kathimerini, was held to discuss NATO’s response to the ongoing pandemic, with emphasis on countering growing disinformation and propaganda, as well as the long-term implications of the crisis for the alliance.
“The crisis has shown that our nations are resilient and united. Our militaries are already playing a key role in support of the national civilian effort. And using NATO mechanisms, allies have been helping each other to save lives,” said Stoltenberg with no report on how he responded to Panagiatopoulos’ call.
NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Europe General Tod Wolters is coordinating military support to deal with the virus, including matching requests for support with offers from allies and partners, and coordinating NATO’s strategic airlift capability, which is delivering hundreds of tons of urgently needed equipment where it is needed quickly and efficiently, the alliance said on its website.
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