Greece requests additional EU support for Türkiye border protection

This comes after Germany announced new measures aimed at curbing irregular migration.

Following Germany's decision to implement stricter border controls, Greek officials fear an influx of asylum seekers. According to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini, Greece is preparing to reinforce its border with Türkiye to prevent a rise in migrant crossings.

Germany’s recent policy changes include sending asylum seekers back to the first EU country they entered under the Dublin Regulation. This could result in more migrants being returned to Greece, leading to heightened concerns in Athens. Additionally, Germany’s plans to reduce social benefits for asylum seekers may increase pressure on Greece as more migrants might attempt to enter the country.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has criticized Germany's new measures, arguing that they place an unfair burden on Greece. Government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis, in a statement to Antena TV, emphasized, "Greece will not become the scapegoat for the problems caused by the policies of other European countries."

In response to the growing concerns, the Greek government announced plans to extend the barbed wire fence along the Evros River, which marks the border with Turkey. They also intend to deploy an additional 150 border guards. Prime Minister Mitsotakis recently called on the EU for financial and logistical support to carry out these measures, highlighting that Greece is not only protecting its own borders but also those of Europe.

While the number of asylum seekers entering other European countries has decreased, Frontex data shows that migrant arrivals in Greece have surged by 40% this year, reaching 37,000. However, only a small fraction of these crossings occurred via the land border with Türkiye. According to the UNHCR, around 5,000 migrants crossed from Turkey into Greece overland, while more than 30,000 arrived by sea, primarily reaching the Greek islands from the Aegean. Additionally, there has been a notable increase in migrant crossings from Libya to Crete, with 3,000 arrivals reported this year.

Greece’s request for EU assistance underscores the ongoing challenges posed by migration in the region, as the country braces for potential increases in asylum seekers due to policy changes across Europe.