NATO acknowledges that push-backs to Turkish safe ports are possible

NATO will bring people rescued from the Aegean Sea back to Turkey if that was their country of departure. That became clear from the response of the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, to a question from European Parliament member Mark Demesmaeker. “That means NATO acknowledges that push-backs to Turkish safe ports are definitely possible. NATO will not actively perform those push-backs, but if necessary, bring people rescued at sea back to Turkey,” Mark Demesmaeker states.

According to the European Parliament member, push-backs are the only effective way to dissuade families with children from starting off on the treacherous journey in rickety boats. “Push-backs to safe ports play an important role in a safe and responsible asylum policy.” Demesmaeker therefore speaks of an important precedent. “This is an essential turning point for European asylum policy. Shelter in the own region, coupled with strict control of the outer borders can now truly take centre stage in a realistic European asylum approach.”