Turkish Defense Minister Fikri Isik was clear: Ankara does not wish to continue the operation any longer. The European Union should finally comply with the terms of EU Turkey Deal instead.
In what it seemed to be an awkward move, Turkey tried to block the continuation of the NATO mission in the Aegean Sea, a mission launched in March 2016 with the aim to curb the refugee and migrant flow to Europe.
“It was a temporary mission that has reached its goal – a further extension is not necessary,” Minister Isik told Turkish broadcaster TRT short before the NATO Summit commenced in Brussels.
German Defense Minister, Ursula von der Leyen, called for the continuation of the NATO mission that has been under German leadership since the beginning. “The fragile situation in the Aegean is a priority for Germany,” the German minister said in Brussels.
Isik said that he had made the position of his country clear at the NATO Summit. “Whether or not the Alliance is here, we will continue our struggle against the flow of refugees,” he said adding “We also expect the EU to respect its part of the agreement.” According to Ankara, this had not happened so far.
The EU has promised Ankara 3bn euro for the refugees and migrants on its territory and visa-free for Turkish citizens. However, the total amount was not given yet and the visa issue was not settled.
For von der Leyen the future of the deployment is open.
The NATO ministers decided to deal with the mission extension by the end of the year.
