Shorter-term dispensations for border controls end in May.
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The Turkish Coast Guard says 57 migrants have died in Turkish waters so far this year while attempting to make the perilous journey to the Greek islands. Nearly 1,000 criminal complaints have been filed, more than half alleging sexual assaults.
Greek officials noted that closing routes northward, even if physically possible, would not solve the problem.
No matter whether it’s for work or pleasure, study or sunshine, whether it’s people or products flowing east and west, north and south, freedom of movement is the lifeblood of Europe’s union. “This is our ultimate common goal”, said European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos in launching the report. Some European countries, including Slovakia, have blasted Greece for being unable to secure its border, which forms part of the Schengen area.
Museum director Erlend Hoeyersten said he has “great respect” for Ai’s criticism of Danish immigration policies, “but I also find it unreasonable that an entire people is punished for the government’s policies”.
He insisted that the European Union would not link Athens’s failings on the migration crisis to how it deals with Greece’s huge 86 billion euros ($94 billion) bailout, sealed a year ago after the country looked to be on the brink of crashing out of the eurozone. Athens is under pressure to register and keep those coming in.
But five countries, including Germany, Austria and Sweden, have reintroduced temporary border controls to better manage the migration flows.
Mouzalas said things have already improved since the inspections late a year ago.
“The discussion is full of these apocalyptic predictions”, one said. More than 850,000 people, most fleeing conflict in Syria and Afghanistan, entered Greece by sea in 2015, according to the UNHCR, and already in 2016, some 35,455 people have arrived despite plunging winter temperatures.
The only other survivor among the nine people on the boat was a woman, who has been hospitalised in Turkey in critical condition. That decision would have a knock-on effect across Europe. But the European Commission has made clear there is no plan or mechanism to isolate Greece or suspend it from the Schengen agreement.
Proponents of the law argue that it is no different than the rules required for regular Danish citizens who must use their own assets to support themselves before the state contributes welfare funds to do so.
The step of imposing border controls can be taken for up to six months and can be renewed up to three times for a total of two years.
Last week Mikl-Leitner warned Athens could face “temporary exclusion” from Schengen. “Greece must… accept help”.
In practice, Greece has no immediate land link with other eastern Schengen nations such Slovenia and Hungary.
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“If the necessary action is not being taken and deficiencies persist, there is a possibility to… allow member states to temporarily close their borders”, European Commission Vice President Vice President told a news briefing after the executive accepted a report that Athens had “seriously neglected” its obligations to fellow Schengen states. In response, nations have erected fences, deployed troops and tightened border controls.
