NATO agrees on curbing influx of migrants due to crisis

BRUSSELS, Feb 25 (KUNA) -- NATO agreed to coordinate the details of the military alliance's operation in the Aegean Sea aimed at curbing the influx of migrants into Europe from the Middle East, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in a statement Thursday.
"We will participate in international efforts to cut the lines of illegal trafficking and illegal migration in the Aegean Sea.
Because this crisis affects us all. And we all have to find solutions," he said.
NATO will conduct its activities in the Aegean Sea and its commanders will decide the area where they will be operating, in coordination with Greece and Turkey.
NATO vessels can deploy in the territorial waters of Greece and Turkey. Greek and Turkish forces will not operate in each other's territorial waters and airspace, he stated.
Stoltenberg noted that NATO's task is not to turn back the boats.
"In case of rescue of persons coming via Turkey, they will be taken back to Turkey.
The refugee and migrant crisis is a humanitarian tragedy. This is a complex challenge. And it requires all of us to work together to find solutions," he added. (end) nk.mb