The government will expand the border with Turkey in the north-east of the country by 26 kilometers, Civil Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos told MPs on Friday.
Addressing the parliamentary committee on national defense and foreign affairs, he said that in addition to refurbishing an existing fence near the town of Castanis in northern Evros, 26 km of additional fences would be erected in selected locations in a wider area around the town of Feres.
According to the minister, these measures will protect the Greek border and prevent illegal migration flows.
“What happened on Evros in March 2020 is now known to everyone. It was not a spontaneous attempt by illegal migrants and refugees to enter the territory of Greece, but an organized operation by the Turkish authorities, who, using illegal immigrants, had a clear intention to massively violate Greek borders, ”he said.
Theodoricakos said that from April to the end of November, 143,472 people were denied entry to Greece, compared with 98,798 in the same period last year.
To cope with the increased migration pressure and strengthen the deterrent effect, the border force will be increased by 550 people, 250 of whom will be deployed in Alexandroupoli and the rest in the three regional units of Eastern Macedonia.
More Stories
The Greek Parliament lifted parliamentary immunity from K. Velopoulos – he will be tried in an ordinary court
“Spartans”: there is one less parliamentary party in the European elections because… “they like it that way”
Greek diplomats defending LGBT rights