BERLIN
The head of NATO on Tuesday underlined Greece’s role in the military alliance amid concerns the economic crisis facing Athens could prompt its withdrawal.
“[A] strong and united Europe is of course good for Greece, it is good for the EU, but it is also good for all of us and for the NATO alliance,” Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at a press conference with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier. “So I hope that it’s still possible to find a solution. Because I think that this is the best for all of us.”
He added: “Greece is a staunch ally within the NATO alliance. I very much appreciate the contributions of Greece for many years, for many decades to our collective defense, to our alliance.”
Greece joined NATO alongside Turkey in 1952 but there are fears the government could pull out of the alliance if it is forced out of the euro. The U.S. maintains a significant naval base on the island of Crete that could be threatened by such a withdrawal.
Earlier on Tuesday, Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis said Greece would miss the 1.6 billion euro ($1.8 billion) payment due to the International Monetary Fund.
A referendum is due on Sunday on whether Greeks accept the bailout proposed by the Eurogroup and other creditors.
European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has said a “no” vote would be a vote against staying in the euro and the EU.
