Newsletter on Immigration to Greece
Editor: Ioannis Kolovos
Egemin Bagis: Turkey will not abide by the bilateral repatriation pact for illegal immigrants
Turkey’s Minister for European Union Affairs Egemin Bagis admitted that his country would not be meeting the obligations stemming from the bilateral repatriation pact with Greece until similar pacts are signed between Turkey and the illegal immigrants’ countries of origin, such as Afghanistan and Pakistan.
Mr. Bagis’ interview (Kathimerini, 28/6/2009) can be read here (in Greek only)
Holland to send back to Greece 1,100 illegal immigrants
While the Greek government is rejoicing at its “success” to repatriate 55 Pakistanis and 25 Afghans, Holland, based on the Dublin II treaty, is returning to Greece 1,100 illegal immigrants (non-EU nationals) who reached Holland but had entered the EU illegally through Greece.
The relevant article (Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, 28/6/2009) can be read here (in Greek only)
According to FRONTEX data for 2008, one in four illegal immigrants arrested in the EU was arrested in Greece.
Frontex data presented by the Minister of Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos show that Greece is the main point of entry to the EU for illegal immigrants. In 2008, 146,337 illegal immigrants were arrested in Greece (24.54% of the total number of illegal immigrants arrested in the EU). In the same year, Spain’s share was 16.88% and Italy’s was 14.33%.
The Minister’s relevant speech can be read here (in Greek only)
The European Commission’s Vice-President Jacques Barrot applies some pressure on Turkey regarding illegal immigration
After his stay in Greece, where he had the chance to visit illegal immigrant detention centers and have talks with Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis and Minister of Interior Prokopis Pavlopoulos, the European Commission’s Vice-President Jacques Barrot pointed out that the EU intends to pressure Turkey in abiding by the bilateral repatriation pact with Greece for illegal immigrants and to increase funding for guarding the Greek borders.
A relevant report (Ta Nea, 1/7/2009) of Mr Barrot’s press conference can be read here (in Greek only)
Alternate Minister of Interior Christos Markogiannakis holds second meeting with opposition party representatives in order to discuss how to tackle illegal immigration
The outcome of the election for the European Parliament and the significant increase of the votes for the radical right, anti-immigrant People’s Orthodox Rally (LA.O.S) prompted the government into action. Alternate Minister of Interior Christos Markogiannakis held a second meeting with opposition party representatives in an effort to find common ground on how to manage the issue of illegal immigration. The Minister publicized nine points that require concentrated effort. Unfortunately, the Minister did not seem to realize that these objectives are meaningless unless they are complemented by: a) measures to combat illegal employment, b) a study on the immigrant labor needs of our economy and c) a study on the carrying capacity of our society to immigrants.
The Ministry’s official press release for the meeting can be read here (in Greek only)
The nine points that require further effort can be read here (word format – Greek only)
Barrot: illegal immigration may destabilize Greece
The European Commission’s Vice-President Jacques Barrot warned that “there is a grave danger of destabilization of the Hellenic Republic due to the completely uncontrollable waves of immigration”. Will they brand him as a “xenophobe” as well?
A relevant article (Kathimerini, 3/7/2009) can be read here (in Greek only)
Better late than never: Minister of Defense admits that illegal immigrants pose a potential terrorism issue
Minister of Defense Evangelos Meimarakis pointed out that terrorists could enter the country as illegal immigrants and that illegal immigrants could be recruited in order to carry out or facilitate terrorist acts. Is his realization just lip service or will it lead to tangible measures?
The relevant report (To Vima, 3/7/2009) can be read here (in Greek only)
Greek public opinion’s stance on immigration hardens
72% of Greeks think that immigration policy is not as strict as it should be (6% think that we don’t have an immigration policy to begin with!) while 93% of Greeks claim that the country has reached its limit and cannot take any more immigrants.
Greek Prime Minister finds support by his Spanish and Italian counterparts in an effort to find common ground for initiatives in order to stem the tide of illegal immigration
Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis visited Spain and Italy and had meetings with his Spanish and Italian counterparts Jose Luis Zapatero and Silvio Berlusconi in an effort to promote the formation of a common European policy against illegal immigration, which is overwhelming the countries of Southern Europe. The outcome of the meetings was the decision to promote repatriation pacts between the EU and the immigrants’ countries of origin and to strengthen border controls.
The relevant press releases for the two meetings can be read here (in Greek only)
EU Ministers put pressure on Turkey regarding illegal immigration and increase Greece’s funding
EU Justice and Interior Ministers met in Stockholm and earmarked 12 million euros for Greece in order to help in covering the increased cost due to illegal immigration. The Ministers also criticized Turkey’s stance regarding the re-admittance of illegal immigrants who reached Greece through Turkey. Unfortunately for Greece, the Dublin II Treaty will remain active until 2014 when it will be reconsidered.
A relevant report (Kathimerini, 17/7/2009) can be read here (in Greek only)
RIEAS’ authority on immigration issues goes beyond Greece’s borders
El Pais, the biggest selling daily newspaper in Spain, quoted RIEAS in an article on the immigration situation in Greece.
The full article [El Pais, 22/7/2009] can be read here (in Spanish only)