NATO chief discusses alliance's future during Athens visit

NATO remains a factor of stability in an uncertain international environment and Greece's role remains significant despite the current financial crisis, the country's political leadership and NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen said here Friday. During a series of meetings with Greek President Karolos Papoulias, Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and other high-ranking officials, Rasmussen discussed the current challenges, regional and international issues and the alliance's future prospects ahead of the 2014 Greek EU Presidency and NATO's summit in Britain. Greece is an "island of stability" in the Southeastern Mediterranean Sea, Papoulias said, noting that a lot changed across the area in recent years, pointing to crises, such as the Syrian conflict. On his part, Rasmussen stressed that Greece's commitment to NATO remained unaffected, in spite of economic difficulties, as the country struggles to exit an acute debt crisis. He praised Greece's role to NATO operations from Kosovo to Afghanistan, underlining the necessity for closer cooperation amongst members and non-members to tackle mounting challenges. "NATO is a hub of stability in an uncertain global environment," Samaras added, referring to the alliance's successes in the battles against terrorism and piracy.