Photo: AFP
Refugees in Greece
After a meeting of interior ministers in Brussels Awramopulos announced that it was agreed that the need to speed up the implementation of the action plan between the EU and Turkey, which aims to curb the wave of migration. – We must have tangible results. Otherwise there is a risk that the whole system will collapse – Awramopulos said at a press conference.
According to him these effects must be seen to 7 March, when it will take place in Brussels, the EU-Turkey on migration. – We have only ten days (…) This crash test for the EU – said the Commissioner.
After once again warned EU countries from taking individual and without consultation with other activities. – There is no room for unilateral steps – Awramopulos said.
He added that the European Commission is working on a plan in the event of a humanitarian crisis in Greece, where as a result of closing borders by the Western Balkan countries and some EU countries can get stuck thousands of immigrants and refugees coming from Turkey. With the arrival of spring weather and improving the number of migrants entering the from Turkey to the Greek islands can once again grow.
– the possibility of the outbreak of the humanitarian crisis is very real and close – warned the Commissioner.
He added that should end up with policy transmission refugees and immigrants over the next Balkan countries further to the EU. It is unacceptable too – he argued – the introduction of limits adopted refugees, as it did in last. Week Austria; the country has assumed day 80 of asylum seekers, and the annual ceiling has been set at 37.5 thousand.
– It is simply inconsistent with the principles of EU and international – Awramopulos said, criticizing the decision of the authorities in Vienna.
the European Commissioner also said that he was happy with the decision of NATO to send warships to the Aegean Sea, which will monitor the influx of migrants from Turkey to the Greek islands. In the night from Wednesday to Thursday Allies agreed on the details of the mission. – This is a very important signal. We need this help, and fast. I am convinced that we will soon have effects – Awramopulos said.
Turkey is a major transit country for Syrian refugees who illegally penetrate to Greece, and then continue the so-called. Balkan route to the rich countries of the EU.
At the end of November last year, the EU and Turkey have agreed on a common action plan, who had to stop the wave of migration. Turkey has committed itself, among others, to improve the living conditions of refugees in its territory, as well as the fight against gangs of people smugglers. So far, implementation of the plan does not bring the expected results, and a smaller number of migrants are mainly due to bad weather.
Austrian interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner said that the EU can not “completely addicted” of the plan of the EU-Turkey. In her opinion, decisive for it to prove summit with Prime Minister of Turkey Ahmet Davutoglu, scheduled for March 7. It will show whether the action plan will be effective and to reduce the number of migrants – assessed.
Despite the criticism of the European Commission the Austrian minister said that Vienna remains at the decision to impose limits adopted refugees. – The idea is to step by step to limit wave of migration – Mikl-Leitner told reporters.
pointed that Austria is still ready to accept refugees 37.5 thousand this year, “which should be a role model for other countries” who do not accept refugees.
According Mikl-Leitner difficult to understand that Greece is not able to protect the EU’s external border, despite the considerable financial support from the EU budget. – If Greece still reiterates that the protection of its borders is not possible, then we should also ask ourselves whether it should be an external border of the Schengen zone – assessed the Austrian minister.
(Anna Widzyk / RC)
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