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NATO's Role In Solving The Migrant Crisis: Interim Or Permanent?

14.02.2016 12:24

Following a request by member states Germany, Greece and Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission has been agreed upon that will see a segment of its fleet being deployed in the Aegean Sea.NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg explained that NATO involvement is not about stopping or pushing back migrant boats but instead to share critical information about such movements, in particular with the Greek and Turkish coast guards.In his live commentary after the deployment decision taken in Brussels earlier this week, which was supposed to have seen its first steps towards implementation while I was writing this article, Stoltenberg stressed in particular the intent to stop people-smugglers from plying their criminal trade.

Following a request by member states Germany, Greece and Turkey, a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) mission has been agreed upon that will see a segment of its fleet being deployed in the Aegean Sea.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg explained that NATO involvement is not about stopping or pushing back migrant boats but instead to share critical information about such movements, in particular with the Greek and Turkish coast guards.
In his live commentary after the deployment decision taken in Brussels earlier this week, which was supposed to have seen its first steps towards implementation while I was writing this article, Stoltenberg stressed in particular the intent to stop people-smugglers from plying their criminal trade.

Many questions arise from NATO's decision, not simply about the how and the practicalities but also about the wider consequences for NATO and the European Union. At stake, perhaps: One day a full-fledged EU coast guard?

On the practicalities, NATO ships are able to operate on both sides of the Aegean waters, whereas Greek and Turkish military vessels, respectively, need to remain in their territorial sides of the shared Aegean. As both nations' coast guards would of course continue to monitor the sea as they do now, NATO's decision to step in can be described as serious reinforcement rather than as a substitute for Greek and Turkish ongoing patrolling and rescuing efforts.

It is nevertheless a massive venture; those familiar with the Turkish coastline as well as with the high number of Greek islands situated close to Turkey know that successfully patrolling each and every nautical mile all the way from northwest Ayvalık to southwest Bodrum where the Aegean meets the Mediterranean is very complicated. In order to do so, NATO ships would need to be as close to Turkish shores as possible to detect any departing migrant boats, but this is technically impossible. Hence, the real challenge begins when migrant boats are already way out at sea and needless to say their passenger's lives are in great danger. I am not saying it is mission impossible -- far from it. Actually, if NATO and both nations' coast guards cooperate hour by hour, it could very well work.

But what interests me is the expected result, both in the short as well as the long term.

Stoltenberg highlighted the “not pushing back” dimension and clearly underlined that he sees his organization as a critical information-provider with a view to stopping human trafficking. If I am not mistaken, this implies that NATO undertakes surveillance on a grand scale, then informs both the Greek and Turkish coast guards about migrant boat movements, hoping that those on board can be rescued before it is too late and will as a consequence be sent back to Turkey. Or have I missed something here? What about a migrant boat already in Greek waters, close to shore? Will those migrants be allowed to step on solid soil and then be processed?

The second issue I hope we will hear clarifications about from Mr. Stoltenberg is how to track the people-smugglers, who often operate from third countries. But perhaps NATO's involvement in the migrant situation is foremost meant as a deterrent for would-be human-traffickers to think twice before having innocent women, men and children pay a fortune for a trip that could so sadly lead to the loss of life of those who were hoping for a better future elsewhere.

In this scenario, NATO would have taken on board both figuratively and literally a new level of social and human dimension of crisis management, which in turn could lead to a renewed and somewhat modified agenda of its core activities and responsibilities.

Last but not least, Brussels. I am wondering whether the EU will soon step into the ring and suggest a full-fledged EU coast guard that would have the task of patrolling the EU's external sea borders before they turn into international waters. Ankara, Athens and Berlin asking NATO for support makes sense to me, but it can only be temporary, if I am not wrong. A brand-new EU coast guard would be something else, something permanent. Turkey would probably welcome the latter development, too.

KLAUS JURGENS [Cihan/Today's Zaman]



 
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