January 11, 2011
The Greek government's plans to build a wall three metres high along part of its border with Turkey have prompted confusion in Brussels. The project, unveiled by the minister of civil defence, Christos Papoutsis, aims to restrict illegal immigration in an area with no natural barriers. The strip of land has become a major thoroughfare for migrants attempting to enter the European Union, with 90% of illegal migrants now passing through Greece.
The wall is to be built on a 12km stretch of frontier in Thrace. The area south of the river Evros, which takes a turn through Turkey, is highly permeable. About 128,000 illegals entered Greece at this location last year, according to Papoutsis.
The European commission expressed reservations about the project. "Walls or fences are short-term measures that are not meant to deal with the question of illegal immigration in a structural way," said the spokesman on security. Talks with Athens are likely to be difficult. The government has rejected "hypocritical" criticism, emphasising the need to "protect the rights of Greek citizens". Past complaints by European partners have focused on Greece's failure to guard its borders, the pitiful state of its detention centres and the treatment inflicted on asylum seekers.
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