Research Institute for European and American Studies
Newsletter on Immigration to Greece
Editor: Ioannis Kolovos
Hellenic Police HQ publicized its latest report on organized crime in Greece
The report covers a broad range of issues among which the smuggling of illegal immigrants, drug trafficking and organized robberies are of special interest.
The report can be read in full here (in Greek only)
Is new legislation against racism needed?
Mr Pericles Nearchou, former Ambassador of Cyprus in Paris, offers an interesting comment in the debate on whether new legislation against racism is needed.
Mr Nearchou’s article (To Paron, 19/5/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)
State Department publicized its 2012 report on terrorism
As far as Greece is concerned the report emphasizes that “The porous nature of Greece’s borders is of concern. While Greek border authorities try to stem the flow of illegal migration, its ability to control large-scale illegal migration via its land and sea borders with Turkey is limited. The recent political upheavals in North Africa and the Middle East have intensified illegal migration to and through Greece via the Greece-Turkey border and the Greek Aegean islands”.
The report can be read in full here (in English)
A flourishing black market for Schengen tourist visas?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs ordered an official inquiry into the way tourist visas were being granted by Greece’s Consular Office in Kiev. This specific Office granted about 100,000 such visas in 2012.
A relevant news-report (Avgi, 30/5/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)
Unemployment much higher for foreign nationals
According to the latest Labor Force Survey (1st quarter of 2013) the unemployment rate of foreign nationals was much higher compared to the Greeks (40.2% compared to 26.2% respectively).
The relevant press release by the National Statistics Authority can be read here (in Greek only)
The archive of the Foreigners’ Service of the Papagos-Holargos Municipality was burned to the ground
The Service is responsible for the issuance of residence permits to foreigners. The archive’s arson has caused many speculations as far the arsonists’ motives are concerned. Could it have taken place in order to hide traces of a ring which sold fake or invalid residence permits to immigrants?
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 13/6/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)
OECD publicized the International Migration Outlook for 2013
As far as Greece is concerned, OECD point out that “the number of registered foreigners, 610,800 in 2009, fell…in 2012 to 440,100” while at the same time “few new permits have been issued in recent years and their number is declining: 46,500 in 2009…and 10,400 in 2012”.
OECD’s country notes on Greece can be read in full here (in English)
How much does the Greek action plan against illegal immigration cost?
According to Minister of Public Order Mr Nikos Dendias the action plan’s total annual cost is about 500 million euros, 247 of which are contributed by the Greek budget and another 178 million are contributed by the EU. This leaves a funding gap of 72 million euros per annum.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 20/6/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)
Repatriations: the Achilles’ heel of Greece’s immigration policy
In the last 11 months 8,050 foreigners were repatriated through IOM’s voluntary repatriation program. The Minister of Public Order Mr Nikos Dendias pointed out that the ministry’s aim is to repatriate (both voluntarily and involuntarily) 25,000 people in 2013. Even if this goal is achieved the problem is that the annual inflow of illegal immigrants is much higher. If the number of people repatriated and deported annually does not exceed the number of people entering and remaining in the country illegally there can be no solution to Greece’s illegal immigration issue.
A relevant article (Kathimerini, 27/6/2013) can be read here (in Greek only)