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NATO’s Standing Maritime Group 2 is currently
deployed in the region and will be tasked to conduct reconnaissance,
monitoring and surveillance of illegal crossings in the Aegean. It will
also establish a direct link with the European Union’s border
management agency, Frontex.
The Secretary General stressed that this mission is “not about
stopping or pushing back refugee boats,” but about contributing
“critical information and surveillance to help counter human trafficking
and criminal networks.” As part of the agreement, NATO will cooperate
closely with national coastguards and the European Union. Military authorities
are now working out the details of the mission.
Ministers also agreed to step up NATO support for the international
coalition to counter ISIL. “We agreed in principle to use NATO
AWACS surveillance planes to backfill national AWACS capabilities,”
said Mr. Stoltenberg. He noted that this decision will increase the
coalition’s ability to “degrade and destroy the terrorist
group ISIL, which is our common enemy.”
To improve NATO’s ability to respond quickly to hybrid threats,
Defence Ministers agreed a detailed implementation plan on the Alliance’s
hybrid strategy. Ministers also took steps to increase Allies’
resilience in areas that are vital in any crisis, such as food and water
resources, telecommunications and cyber networks, and transportation.
“Resilience is primarily a national responsibility. But both NATO
and the European Union have a role in providing tools and advice in
specific areas,” said the Secretary General.
Ministers also discussed the situation in Afghanistan. They assessed
the work of the Alliance-led Resolute Support Mission to train, advice
and assist Afghan security forces. Ministers agreed to keep the mission
under review, in order to ensure its effectiveness.
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