Athens, 11 April 2024 (MIA) – Greece is safeguarding North Macedonia's airspace under the NATO Air Policing mission, and we are very proud of it. We also provide "air policing" to other member nations that do not have the necessary air capabilities, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias told a panel discussion as part of the Delphi Economic Forum, asked whether Greece or Turkey is patrolling the country's airspace, MIA's Athens correspondent reports. 

Dendias said it was a practice within NATO that gives both Turkey and Greece the opportunity, pointing out that the Greek Air Force has the capabilities and is ready to help the countries in need.

“In the political framework, Greece has every inclination to provide this to North Macedonia, as well as to other NATO allied countries that need the Greek military aviation. We are proud of it. We are happy to help friends, partners and allies if they need this for their airspace. We are ready for it, we have a very capable, very strong air force, so why not?” Greece’s Defence Minister said.  

As part of the 9th Delphi Economic Forum, Dendias participated in a discussion with the International Relations Professor and Director of the Institute for Global Affairs, Konstantinos Filis, also commenting on topics related to defence, both of Greek and of international interest.

Regarding the EU operation "Aspides" [Greek for “shield”] at the Red Sea, which includes the participation of Greece's frigate, Dendias noted that it serves as a first proof that the European Union is learning to respond faster to geopolitical challenges.  

Photo: MIA