As more and more refugees from Turkey want to enter the EU, the Greek government is planning stricter measures. For example, the border fence, which has so far been more than 40 kilometers long, will be extended over the entire length of the border with Turkey. In addition, more employees and new electronic observation instruments will follow.
The entire border fence along the Evros River in the northeast of the country would then be about 220 kilometers long, state radio reported on Wednesday. The Foreign and Defense Council under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made a corresponding decision on Tuesday evening. This also means more staff and new electronic monitoring tools for border guards. Additional patrol boats and planes have been announced for the coastguard, which controls the maritime border with Turkey in the eastern Aegean.
25,000 refugees in August
Greek security forces have repeatedly rounded up refugees at the border in recent weeks. “In the month of August alone, which has not even ended yet, 25,000 people tried to enter illegally through the Greek-Turkish border,” Civil Defense Minister Takis Theodorikakos said on Wednesday.
The Greek government continues to block attempts by people to enter by land and sea. Humanitarian organizations speak of illegal rejections (“push-backs”), because those affected do not have the opportunity to apply for asylum. Athens, in turn, blames Ankara. Turkish security forces themselves repeatedly force refugees to cross the border into Greece.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
