Greece recognised as EU ‘shield’ as they receive €700m in financial aid

·

The head of the European Commission has sent a strong message of support to Greece in its attempts to stop migrants crossing its border from Turkey.

Four EU leaders met the Greek prime minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, at the border town of Orestiada on Tuesday, near where Greek police have been using teargas to deter hundreds of migrants from attempting to cross from Turkey.

The European commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, said: “This border is not only a Greek border, it is also a European border … I thank Greece for being our European aspida in these times,” which was translated as “shield”.

She announced €700m (£609m) in EU funds for Greece, including €350m available immediately to upgrade infrastructure at the border, The Guardian reports. The EU’s border management agency, Frontex, is scrambling “a rapid border intervention” squad that includes one offshore vessel, six coastal patrol boats, two helicopters, one aircraft, three thermal-vision vehicles, as well as 100 border guards to reinforce 530 Greek officers at land and sea borders.

Read More: Thousands of migrants searching for ways around shut Greek border

Croatia’s prime minister, Andrej Plenković, echoed her words: “Greece is now the shield, the real external border of the European Union and the guarantor of stability for the entire European continent.”

The EU visit came amid an escalating war of words between Athens and Ankara, after Turkey’s foreign minister said – without providing evidence – that Greek soldiers had killed three migrants attempting to enter the country, a claim denied by Greece.

Greek authorities said they thwarted an attempt by about 1,000 people overnight to make their way across the Evros wetland area, at the southern end of the border.

They said that in the 24 hours between Monday and Tuesday morning, they had prevented a total of 5,183 people from entering Greece, and arrested 45 people, mostly from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Morocco and Bangladesh.

Greece has made clear its borders are shut. It has sent military and police reinforcements to the area, which have used tear gas and water cannon to repel mass attempts by migrants to cross into the country. Authorities have also set up cordons of police and army checks on and near the border, arresting those who managed to make it through.

Sourced by: The Guardian

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

Australian reception marks Cyprus’ journey of independence and EU integration

The High Commissioner of the Republic of Cyprus in Australia, Antonis Sammoutis, hosted an official reception on Thursday, October 31.

Hellenic Australian Lawyers celebrate justice and Hellenic ideals at annual Oration

The annual John Perry AO QC Oration, hosted by the South Australian Chapter of HAL honoured the legacy of Justice John William Perry.

Melbourne launch of Dean Kalimniou’s ‘Eikonoklasmata’ a great success

Melbourne author and lawyer Dean Kalimniou’s (Konstantinos Kalymnios) latest book «Εικονοκλάσματα» (Eikonoklasmata), launched on Sunday.

Greek Australians named in Pararoos squad for IFCPF World Cup 2024

CommBank Pararoos’ Head Coach Kai Lammert and CommBank ParaMatildas' Head Coach Kelly Stirton have confirmed their squads.

Odyssey Festival brings magic of a Greek paniyiri into the Adelaide CBD

On Saturday, GOCSA Dance Academy, in collaboration with Neolea, hosted the inaugural Grattan Street Paniyiri.

You May Also Like

Have the Caryatids of the Acropolis told all their secrets?

The Acropolis is Greece's best-known archaeological site. Among the scholars who try to uncover its secrets is Dr. Janric van Rookhuijzen.

Greek Prime Minister says Turkish provocations cannot be tolerated

Recent Turkish provocations “cannot be tolerated by Greece or the European Union,” Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Tuesday. 

The factors for the decline of humanities and Greek studies in the diaspora

In part two, Professor Tamis examines the factors that led to the decline of humanities and Greek studies in the diaspora.