Outgoing NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg gave a farewell address and then sat for a Q&A session on Thursday, where among others, he also referred to how he managed crucial moments in Greek-Turkish relations and his insight specifically in dealing with the intricasies of at-times strained ties between the two neighboring Alliance members.
In a carefully and diplomatically phrased response, the veteran Norwegian official referred to two highly valued and important allies who contribute to the common defense and security in different ways. He added that both countries also play an important role in the Alliance are part of decision-maker on a daily basis.
Stoltenberg at the same time emphasized that certain “differences and challenges” in the bilateral relationship should be solved with bilateral dialogue, saying he always welcomes every occasion when contacts and dialogue between the two sides occur to deal with differences.
In playing up the Euro-Atlantic Alliance’s role, he said NATO has played and will probably in the future again serve as a platform to faciliate dialogue and address differences. He said this occured on several levels, as well as to deal with the risk of “instances” in the Aegean, in the sea and air, “and NATO should continue to do that.”
He downplayed any notion of providing a “sixth lesson tailor-made” for dealing with Greek-Turkish differences – previous to a reference to a previous five lessons – merely saying that allies “must be friends” and that the Alliance has structures to avoid incidents.
His answer to the specific question begins at 51.20 into the video.
