Panagiotopoulos calls for NATO support to help defend sea borders

By Ahval

Greek Defence Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos has called on NATO to boost protection at the country’s sea border against migrant flows from Turkey on Wednesday, Kathimerini said.

In a video conference, Panagiotopoulos asked NATO defence ministers to contribute to the security of Greece’s Aegean border after thousands of migrants massed at the country’s land border in a bid to cross to Europe, Kathimerini said.

There is a possibility of a renewed attempt by Turkish authorities that would lead to another migrant crisis, the minister said.

In February, thousands of people gathered at Turkey’s land border with Greece after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he would open the gates to migrants and refugees, saying his country could no longer host them.

Greek authorities increased security measures at its borders in response, which encouraged some migrants to turn to sea routes despite Turkish authorities then saying that boat crossings were not allowed.