Greece is carefully monitoring all actions by countries in the Middle East and North Africa, National Defence Minister Evangelos Venizelos told Parliament's Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee on Thursday. He noted that the situation was still unfolding and levels of stabilisation were different in Tunisia, Egypt, Bahrain and Libya.
Venizelos was replying to a question made by Popular Orthodox Rally (LAOS) leader George Karatzaferis, who had asked whether the base at Souda in Crete might be used to launch an international or NATO operation in the region and whether Greece would ensure that there was at least one Greek officer on the base.
The minister pointed out that any international initiative in the region would begin at the United Nations Security Council, while noting that setting up a 'no fly' zone over Libya would take at least 14 days.
He noted that a Greek-flagged frigate was now stationed in international waters off the coast of Libya and interchanging with another frigate in Crete in the framework of action taken by NATO, while noting that the "appearance of an independent and distinct European voice" would not be easy.
The minister also pointed out that there was always a Greek officer at Souda, who controlled the movement of aircraft, ships and personnel, and he said it was unlikely that the base would be used to launch an operation given that there were the aircraft carriers of the U.S. Navy.
source: ANA
