Greece is to introduce stricter measures to reduce the number of migrants and asylum seekers crossing the Maritsa River, which forms part of the border with Turkey, the Greek public broadcaster announced on Wednesday.
The Greek government said it had decided to extend the fence on the northeastern border, now 40 kilometers long, by 80 kms. The border guard will be reinforced, and new electronic control devices will be installed.
Further, additional patrol boats and aircraft will be made available to the Coast Guard patrolling the eastern Aegean Sea, along the maritime border with Turkey.
“During the month of August alone, which is not yet over, 25,000 people tried to enter through the Greece-Turkey border,” said Civil Defence Minister Takis Theodorikakos.
Human rights organisations fear migrants will be illegally returned to Turkey, in so-called “pushbacks.” However, Athens repeatedly declares that the security services protect Europe’s borders in accordance with international law.
