Intensive background consultations between Athens and their key partners Greece V NATO And Europe is behind the many and varied operations to free Westerners from Khartoum and other parts of Sudan that began over the weekend. Foreign Secretary Nikos Dendias he first spoke with his Egyptian colleague Sameh Shukri, making sure that the air force could use the airfield in the south of the country, and here’s how S-130 and one S-27 in Aswan. From the very beginning, Greek diplomacy did not want to bypass Egypt for reasons of principle, but also for possible operational reasons. Mr. Dendias also spoke with his French counterparts Catherine Colonna, Antonio Tajani of Italy and Analena Burbock of Germany both before and after the arrival of the first Greeks in Djibouti, escorted by country-specific forces, to ensure access to the possibility of transporting Greeks and Greeks- Cypriots. The connection with Paris, Berlin and Rome was not accidental, since these forces took turns taking control of the territory of the air base on the outskirts of Khartoum, from where planes take off with evacuees to Djibouti and from there to Europe. Already on Friday and Saturday, the necessary contacts were established with the American side both at the diplomatic and military levels.

Tsunis Update

Mr. Dendias communicated Greece’s intentions to the US Ambassador George Zuni and asked for help, since the Americans in Djibouti have one of the two largest bases in this small country in the Horn of Africa. American military cover for all these operations was considered a necessary condition for their successful completion, although it is known that the Americans rarely act in such cases in cooperation with other powers. In addition to the US, China, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the UK, Japan and Saudi Arabia have bases in Djibouti of various capacities.

C-130s and C-27s in Aswan to free expatriates – why Athens chose to “coordinate” with Cairo, Paris, Berlin and Rome in the first place.

In practice, it is estimated that after the release of 27 Greek citizens and their Sudanese relatives (operations of the main EU countries, British and Americans continued throughout yesterday), approximately 120 people remained in Khartoum, which they should be. released. Even before late at night, a group of Greeks and a Cypriot tried to reach the air base on the outskirts of Khartoum, which until yesterday was controlled by German troops. Greece also coordinates with the United Arab Emirates, a country with a significant military presence in the region. The first 27 people are expected today at Elefsina Airport.

Already in Aswan, Egypt, two Air Force aircraft were stationed, carrying two ETA (Special Parachute Division) groups, a total of 13 people, including the commander, as well as military medical personnel. A C-27 carrying Deputy Minister of National Defense Nikos Hardalias left for Djibouti yesterday to transport the first 27 released while the C-130 is in reserve. A C-27 returning to Elefsina (from Djibouti via Egypt) will be replaced by another aircraft of the same type.

The development so far has left Athens (as well as other European capitals) feeling bitter about the weakness of the EU. act at least as an axis of coordination of operations, based on the predictions of the so-called “strategic compass”, according to which there should be some kind of rapid intervention group for humanitarian purposes until … 2025.