NATO Defense Ministers on Thursday ratified the agency’s involvement in the interception of refugee flows and human trafficking in the Aegean, following Germany, Greece and Turkey’s request.

“We agreed that NATO will provide support on the refugee and migrant crisis. The agreement is based on a joint request tabled from Germany, Greece and Turkey,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

“The aim is to participate in international efforts to stop trafficking and undocumented migration in the Aegean”, he added.

“Based on the agreement, the Greek and Turkish armed forces will operate only within their airspace and territorial waters,” he added