"As NATO, we have to look at all these challenges, humanitarian challenge, challenge coming from terrorism, and challenge coming from the presence of foreign forces in Syria…the mission of NATO is becoming even more important, and solidarity of NATO will be influential for the future…we want to see more visible NATO presence on our border, so that will create a deterrence for those that may have the intention to test the capacity of NATO," Davutoglu said during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels following Monday`s Turkey-EU summit.
The EU-Turkey summit focused on stemming migration flows into the European Union. The sides discussed cooperation on migration, focusing on a speedy implementation of the EU-Turkey action plan. Stoltenberg and Davutoglu met after the close of the summit, discussing NATO forces deployment to the Aegean Sea in order to curb illegal migration.
During the press conference, Davutoglu stated that NATO`s capacity is essential for preventing migrants crossing the waters between Greece and Turkey, praising the alliance`s Sunday decision to extend its maritime humanitarian operation in the Aegean. NATO must act in conjunction with the European external borders agency Frontex, as well as Turkey and Greece, the prime minister said, adding that Turkey and Greece plan to cooperate closely on the issue.
The previous Turkey-EU summit was held in November 2015, also focusing on migration, as well as the process of Turkey`s accession to the European Union.
Earlier on Monday, European Parliament President Martin Schulz stated that attempts at linking the settlement of the refugee crisis with the Turkish accession to the European Union should be prevented.
The European Union is currently struggling to manage a massive refugee crisis, with hundreds of thousands of people fleeing conflict-torn countries in the Middle East and North Africa. EU border agency Frontex recorded more than 1.8 million illegal border crossings into the bloc in 2015.
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