Foreign
THE Greek authorities are to impose stricter measures to counter the rising number of migrants crossing its land border along the Maritsa (Evros) River with Turkey, local media reported on Wednesday.
The report said decision had been taken at a meeting of the council for foreign and defence affairs to extend a border fence along the north-eastern border along the entire length of the border.
It said the fence, which is currently 40 kilometres in length, woukd then be extended by 220 kilometres.
“The border patrol force is to be expanded and new electronic monitoring devices installed.
“Additional patrol boats and aircraft are also to be provided to the coastguard patrolling the eastern Aegean Sea along the sea border with Turkey.
“In the month of August alone, which is not even over, 25,000 people have tried to enter across the Greek-Turkish border illegally,” Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos said.
Human rights organisations accused the Greek government of supporting so-called “push-backs” of migrants along both its land and sea borders with Turkey.
They described the policy as illegal under international law, as the migrants had no opportunity to apply for asylum.
Athens accused Ankara of promoting a “push-forward” policy, charging that migrants arriving in Greece claim that they were forced across the border by Turkish security personnel.(dpa/NAN)
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Tags: Aegean Sea Maritsa (Evros) River Takis Theodorikakos
