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According to Greek military sources, Jens Stoltenberg proposed a moratorium on exercises during the national holidays of Greece and Turkey, on both October 28 and 29.
Specifically, a prominent Greek source highlights, referring to what happened in NATO, the moratorium and the exercises, clarifying that what happened yesterday (10/23/2020) in the teleconference of NATO Defense Ministers, was a proposal that “fell on the table.” by the Secretary General of the alliance and not by the Turkish Defense Minister Hulusi Akar.
According to the report, Mr. Stoltenberg said that on October 28 and 29, dates that are national holidays for both countries, there is the possibility of a moratorium to avoid military exercises.
The NATO Secretary General’s proposal was well received by both Ankara, as confirmed by the Turkish Defense Minister, and Athens.
Stoltenberg had spoken of a “very welcome step” and praised Athens and Ankara for their “flexibility and constructive stance”, adding that tensions in the eastern Mediterranean had been discussed.
The disconnection advances with the cancellation of the exercises, he stressed, to reduce the risk of accidents and facilitate the effort made to address the underlying problems, with the assistance of German mediation.
Like the day before yesterday, Mr. Stoltenberg called on Greece and Turkey to refrain from inflammatory statements and actions and highlighted the role of NATO as a platform where allied countries can meet and resolve their differences.
“I do not take a position on the underlying legal issues, but it is a fact that the suspension of the seismic studies has had a positive effect on the situation,” he said.
In any case, what was agreed in this teleconference was annulled after the NAVTEX issued by Turkey for the 27th and 28th of the month and refers to exercises in the Eastern Mediterranean (east of Kastellorizo).
Source: skai.gr
