Czech minister Babis criticises NATO´s stance on refugees

On Wednesday, Babis called on NATO to start a naval operation in the Mediterranean that should sink people smugglers' empty ships and protect the Turkish border.

If NATO fails to act against smugglers, its European member states should do so, he said today.

"NATO behaves expediently. It took steps against Somali pirates, since there was an economic interest of the NATO member states and other countries of the U.N. Security Council. If NATO fails to act against smugglers, its European member states´ armies should do so," Babis said.

"NATO is not interested in refugees, though Turkey, a NATO member, is their entrance gate to Europe and smugglers operate on Turkish territory," Babis added.

Babis talked to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg about these issues on Wednesday.

The Czech Republic might actively help by sending a field hospital to the Turkish border or one of the Greek islands, Babis said.

"According to the NATO chief, the problem of refugees is a problem of the EU and the border protection and the fight against people smugglers is in the power of particular EU member states," Babis said in reaction to a CTK question about Stoltenberg´s reaction to his proposals.

Stoltenberg is of the view that the EU 28 is not able to solve the refugee crisis and the Frontex agency, which is to protect the EU border, has neither sufficient powers nor any results, Babis said, referring to Stoltenberg´s views expressed at their meeting.

After talks with Czech politicians on Wednesday, Stoltenberg said the migration crisis required an immediate reaction by the European Union, while NATO should rather concentrate on dealing with the causes of the crisis.

Written by: ČTK
www.ctk.cz