The Greek government plans to proceed with its plan to build a new fence at the border with Turkey to prevent illegal migration, with or without EU funding, while the European Commission insists that smarter solutions should be implemented.
Meanwhile, Athens fears that the escalation in the Middle East conflict may cause new migration waves and takes diplomatic initiatives with Lebanon and the Palestinian Authority.
The construction of a fence at the northeastern land border with Turkey started in 2012, and since then, it has been extended using national financial resources.
The issue reemerged after Germany decided to take a stricter stance on migration, and politicians in Berlin called on first-line countries, such as Greece, to step up the protection of Europe’s external borders.
Germany urges countries to apply EU migration law as Athens takes issue to EUCO
The migration discussion has opened again for good in Europe with Germany preparing to step up the number of asylum seekers that it is sending back to first-line countries while Greece is planning to raise the issue at a summit next month.
In light of the new developments, Athens put again on the table its request to have the extension of the fence funded by the EU.
“The new fence will be built with or without Europe”, the Greek Prime Minister recently said.
However, the EU Commission insists on opposing funding the construction of fences while simultaneously recognising that national governments know better how to protect their borders.
“Member states must protect the EU’s external borders. They are best placed to define how to do this in practice in a way that is fully in line with EU acquis, including respecting fundamental rights”, a European Commission spokesperson told Euractiv.
The EU official added that the Commission maintains that effective external border management is a priority for the Union and that an integrated approach must be taken.
“The focus should be on smart solutions that support the implementation of European integrated border management, such as integrated, interoperable and adaptable surveillance systems”, the EU spokesperson noted.
Middle East and Turkey
The Greek authorities have reported an increase in migration waves from Turkey in 2024 compared to last year, but they note that these mainly come from the sea and not the land border with Turkey.
Many point out that political stability between Turkey and Greece will be key to keeping migration waves under control, and Athens is working toward this goal.
Earlier this week, Mitsotakis had a 30-minute meeting with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York, in which they both agreed to continue working on dismantling smuggling networks.
Indicatively, Greek media reported that the focus of the meeting remained on the positive agenda – such as the collaboration on migration – despite the fact a couple of hours before Erdoğan publicly said Cyprus should be divided into two states, a proposal firmly rejected by both Athens and Brussels and could torpedo the meeting.
Meanwhile, the escalation in the Middle East, with reports suggesting that Israel is preparing for a possible ground offensive in Lebanon, has raised eyebrows in Athens.
Lebanon already hosts more than 1.5 million Syrian and Palestinian refugees.
Combined with its severe economic crisis, potential migration waves through Turkey makes Athens uncomfortable.
Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis already met with his Lebanese counterpart Abdallah Bou Habib and promised to take action at the EU level to provide medical aid to Lebanese citizens who have been injured and need treatment.
Similarly, Mitsotakis met with the head of the Palestinian Authority, Mahmoud Abbas.
Diplomatic sources in New York told Euractiv that the migration issue was raised in all contacts as a potential collateral consequence of the broader diffusion of the Middle East crisis.
On a political level, Mitsotakis also sent a message to Tel Aviv.
In an interview with CNN, the Greek leader said there are opportunities for a ceasefire that “our Israeli friends” have not been adequately used.
[Edited by Alice Taylor-Braçe]
Source: euractiv.com
