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Stoltenberg held a press conference after the session on the first day of the NATO Foreign Ministers Meeting held by videoconferencing method.
Meeting of Foreign Ministers, noting that the agenda of the situation in the eastern Mediterranean Stoltenberg, the prevention of unwanted incidents and accidents between Greece and Turkey in order to establish the mechanism of separation procedures, recalled that it has been created a line of communication and some of the exercises cancel each other out.
‘THE MECHANISM IS INSTALLED, IT WORKS’
Stoltenberg said: “All of this shows that we can create confidence-building measures to reduce tension when we sit down and talk. The mechanism is in place, it works. There is a mutual exchange of information, communication channels are open. Today I told both ministers that I am ready to further strengthen the mechanism in NATO. We can do it because we can. “We meet every day here in NATO,” he said.
Between Greece and Turkey lessons can be drawn from the negative developments in the 80s and 90s, Stoltenberg noted, then said that a similar mechanism by mutual was canceled some exercises and determined by the area of geographic limitation exercises to be carried out. .
“I’m not saying we copy this today, but we can see if what we did decades ago still applies today. It also requires political will. NATO stands ready to help reduce tension,” Stoltenberg said. used the expression.
‘THE NUMBER OF EXERCISES CANCELED MAY INCREASE’
Recalling that there were technical negotiations between the two NATO countries, Stoltenberg said on how to strengthen the mechanism: “We can increase the number of canceled exercises. Possible geographical limitations can be determined. There are different possibilities. But all this requires political will.”
Stoltenberg base for the solution of problems between Turkey and Greece that support initiatives led by Germany, was founded in NATO could help transfer mechanisms of such initiatives.
Stoltenberg, who briefed on the ministerial meeting, said that the Afghanistan issue was discussed, that NATO support for Afghanistan will continue and that the question of whether to stay in this country will be decided at the Defense Ministers Meeting in February.
Stoltenberg said that Russia was also discussed at the meeting and that this country violated international agreements. Stating that ministers support the limitation of nuclear weapons and the development of a more comprehensive arms control regime, Stoltenberg emphasized that they are pleased that there are negotiations on the nuclear weapons agreement between the United States and Russia.
Stoltenberg stated that they focused on what can be done to further strengthen NATO and that a report prepared by a group of experts was completed and presented.
‘NATO A SUCCESSFUL ALLIANCE AS A MILITARY AND POLITICAL’
Stating that the report emphasizes that NATO is a militarily and politically successful alliance, Stoltenberg stated that the allies will continue to consult with civil society and the private sector and prepare some proposals to present to the leaders of NATO member countries at the summit to be held next year.
“Our goal is to continue NATO as a strong military alliance, make it more politically united and take a more global approach,” Stoltenberg said.
On a question about transatlantic relations and the EU’s desire to be autonomous in defense, Stoltenberg said:
“We are pleased that the EU has invested more in defense because this will also strengthen Europe and NATO. But any attempt to weaken the transatlantic link between North America and Europe will weaken not only NATO but also Europe. The European Union, transatlantic. Attempts to drive Europe away from North America divide Europe. “
