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Anastasia Balezdrova

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen visited Greece to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the accession of the country to the Alliance.

"Greece can continue to count on the support of its 27 NATO Allies. The international economic crisis has hit Greece extremely hard.  And the certainties of the past – jobs, salaries, pensions – now seem much less certain. Against that background, I understand that the Greek Government needs to focus on getting finances back in order.  And on re-shaping the economy.  I also understand that for many Greeks, social security is your main security concern right now. "

Anders Fogh Rasmussen referred to the constantly changing international environment.
"Terrorism, proliferation, piracy, cyber warfare. These are just some of the new, complex challenges that affect all our nations. Challenges that won’t wait until we have our economies back in order. Like the economic crisis, they require urgent attention, and the closest possible international cooperation."

He pointed out that in its 60-year presence in NATO Greece has enjoyed an excellent cooperation, which "will ultimately help the economy too. Because by working with its Allies in NATO, Greece can strengthen the security that is a precondition for its long-term economic revival."

Freedom, democracy and dialogue are the values we share and they originated right here in ancient Greece. He stressed the role of the country’s participation in the NATO missions in Kosovo, Afghanistan and the efforts to assist Libyan nationals during the war conflict last year. Anders Fogh Rasmussen also referred to the role of Greece on the issues of maritime security and said that NATO is already conducting a maritime counter-terrorist operation in the Mediterranean and a counter-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia.
"Not only Greece, but many other NATO Allies too, are going through a difficult economic period.. The current economic environment requires countries like Greece to use the current crisis as an opportunity to introduce significant defence reforms.  To concentrate on deployable forces, rather than waste scarce resources on static forces stuck in barracks.  To work together with other Allies to provide the high priority military capabilities we need in NATO – but that individual Allies cannot afford to provide on their own. I have called this approach “Smart Defence”.  It is my goal that, at our next NATO Summit meeting, in Chicago in May, all Allies will adopt “Smart Defence” as a guiding principle for the development of capabilities within our Alliance."

NATO Secretary General did not omit to refer to the fact that for a long period of time, Greece and Turkey were the only member states of NATO in the region."NATO provides a forum to defuse tensions.  To discuss sensitivities together with the other Allies.  And to arrive at pragmatic solutions " He said that the political support and engagement of Greece is necessary for the progress of security and stability in the Western Balkans. The former Prime Minister of Denmark assured the Greeks that their membership in NATO provides them with the ultimate security insurance and expressed the conviction of all member states that the country will soon be able to economically revive.

Greek Foreign Minister Stavros Dimas thanked Anders Fogh Rasmussen and wished to emphasize two additional things. The first one was the fact that since its liberation in 1821 until today, Greece has enjoyed freedom longer than many of its NATO allies. "As for the economy, I would like to assure you that, despite all the protests and different views on how to deal with the crisis, which are quite ordinary for a democratic country, we the Greeks are determined to deal with it, to reorganize our economy and put the bases for its recovery and growth."

He said that his country remains true to the principles of democracy, respect for human rights and the protection of law that had already been set yet for its accession to NATO 60 years ago and are still relevant today. According to Stavros Dimas, NATO strategy is directly connected with the Greek defense doctrine and the notion of the country’s position in the major changes taking place globally. "The accession of countries from the region in NATO is a strategic choice for Greece as long as it complies with all criteria and processes set by the European Union and NATO."

The Minister referred to the country's participation in NATO missions, from the Korean War until today, while contributing to the development of the Alliance itself too. "However, since the middle of the 1970s, Greece has been facing a constant threat and its bearer is one of its allies. The silence of NATO during the Turkish invasion of Cyprus was deafening. Although there were different periods in the relations with Turkey, the constant questioning of the sovereign rights of Greece actually is and is perceived by the Greek citizens as a real and direct threat. From this perspective, the participation of Greece in NATO failed to explain this important threat to our security. It is high time to impose relations, values and actions that bring us together in the Alliance. It is important to influence the relations between the member states. It would be the natural progression of things, if international law and good neighbourly relations have been actually observed."

After the speeches, both politicians commented on the only question that a journalist managed to ask. He turned to Anders Fogh Rasmussen requesting that NATO "help the Greeks, who are friends of NATO and are threatened by their neighbours to the north, who are not part of NATO. Personally, I am also a friend of NATO, and perhaps one of the few remaining friends of the USA and I think that anti-Americanism in Greece is due to our error. Because, let me say it, Minister, if Makarios had joined Cyprus to NATO, there would be no dictatorship in Greece, nor Turkish invasion of the island." With this statement, he won the strong applause of the majority of the audience.

The NATO Secretary General replied that Greece and Turkey should ease the tension and find a peaceful way to settle their mutual issues. He urged all parties involved in the Cyprus dispute to resolve it as soon as possible.

The Greek Foreign Minister even said that almost every Greek family has relatives in the USA. "Secondly, our cooperation with the USA was and is very close in many areas. Our history shows that we have always been in the same camp with the exception of the period 1967-1974, when we were not particularly happy with their position." Stavros Dimas added that Greece welcomes American tourists, that it is willing to import technology and technical knowledge, and expressed the hope that it will happen soon in order to help Greece emerge from the crisis.

During the meeting, members of the Communist Party held a protest against the visit of Anders Fogh Rasmussen to Athens. For a moment, the meeting became more violent, forcing policeofficers to use tear gas to repel the angry communists.