Stoltenberg: NATO to intensify monitoring at Syrian-Turkish border

BRUSSELS, March 7 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg discussed the refugee crisis and the Syrian conflict with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu at NATO headquarters here Monday evening.
"NATO has decided to intensify intelligence, surveillance and monitoring along the Turkish-Syrian border," the NATO chief told a news conference after the meeting.
"This will complement the assurance measures for Turkey we decided late last year, including more AWACS presence and an increased naval presence in the eastern Mediterranean. We also continue to augment Turkey's air defences with Patriots," he said.
Stoltenberg noted that despite reports of violations, the Syrian ceasefire seems to be largely holding.
"This is the best possible basis for renewing efforts to reach a negotiated, peaceful solution to the crisis in Syria. But we remain concerned by the Russian build-up in Syria and the eastern Mediterranean," he said.
"Russia's military activity in the region has fuelled the humanitarian crisis and driven more people to Turkey's borders. It has also caused violations of NATO airspace," he added.
On his part, Davutoglu told the joint press conference that the Alliance is facing "new risks and threats and it is important to share our views and coordinate all our efforts." He said air strikes by the Assad regime and Russia has led to an increase in flow of refugees to Turkey, which is hosting 2.7 million refugees.
The Turkish Premier said Russian military activity has not been against Daesh, but more against civilians, which is forcing people to leave Syria and come to Turkey. (end) nk.hb