After the completion of the works of the NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings in Brussels, the Minister of National Defence Dimitris Avramopoulos made the following statement:
“The NATO Defence Ministers’ Meetings worked on the issue of enhancing initially the cohesion within the Alliance, as well as its commitment for the deterrence and collective defence against all threats.
Our intervention moved in the spirit of our need for the Alliance’s realistic approach and devotion to its fundamental principles, according to International Law and, of course, the existing agreements and treaties.
In the context of the groundwork for the Summit which will be held next September in Wales and is a very important meeting, we discussed the promotion of the “Connected Forces” initiative, as it is called.
We adopted a series of propositions so as to ensure interoperable capabilities in mutual training, technology use and, of course, the organisation of common exercises.
We also discussed the adoption of important texts as to the initiative concerning the Framework Nation for Maritime Strategy, which is very important to us, the enhancement of Cyber Defence Policy and the path towards the Alliance’s reformation.
As far as the Ukrainian issue is concerned, the Alliance opted for the discovery of a political solution and it has expressed its support to territorial integrity and preservation of Ukraine’s unity, and the need to avoid partition and possible secessionist tendencies.
I remind you that this is a position supported by Greece since the beginning.
As I have already said in the past, an immediate de-escalation of the tension and violence is absolutely necessary. The settlement of the Ukrainian crisis should be peaceful, using political and diplomatic means.
All our efforts should aim at accomplishing this goal, in cooperation with all global actors and, of course, all pertinent International Organisations.
All these issues will be officially adopted by the Summit next September in Wales”.