Newsletter on Immigration to Greece
Editor: Ioannis Kolovos
University Professors Lymberaki and Triandafyllidou claim that Greece can sustain any number of immigrants
Professors Lymberaki and Triandafyllidou, in a joint article which appeared in “Vima Ideon” (a monthly supplement of the daily “To Vima”), claim that Greek economy and society can take in “as many immigrants as they wish”. Moreover, they brand as “liars” and “dangerous” those who argue that the economy’s and society’s carrying capacity for immigrants can be estimated.
It should be noted that in the UK the Migration Advisory Committee, chaired by London School of Economics Professor David Metcalf, provides the British government with estimates on the country’s labor market’s needs. Are they “liars” and “dangerous” as well?
The article by Lymberaki and Triandafyllidou (Vima Ideon, August 2009) can be read here (in Greek only):
Official data show a boom in criminality – Foreigners commit a very high proportion of it
According to Ministry of Interior data on criminality for the first semester of 2009 foreigners commit 49% of robberies, 51% of thefts and break-ins, 38% of homicides, 48% of rapes and 55% of sexual exploitation cases. It should be noted that, officially, foreigners constitute 9% of the country’s population.
A relevant report (Ta Nea, 13/8/2009) can be read here (in Greek only):
The Greek Police official data on criminality can be found here (in Greek only):
The Police’s comments on the criminality data for the first semester can be found here (in Greek only). Do note that the Police make a special mention of the significant contribution of foreigners in serious crimes.
Greek government plans a voluntary repatriation program for illegal immigrants
The Greek government is said to be planning a voluntary repatriation program for illegal immigrants. It will be funded by the EU and its first phase will cost 600,000 euros. The approximate cost per illegal immigrant is estimated at about 1,000 euros.
A relevant report (Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, 15/8/2009) can be read here (in Greek only):
http://www.enet.gr/?i=issue.el.home&date=15/08/2009&id=73326
57,079 people were arrested for illegal entry and/or illegal stay in Greece during the first semester of 2009.
According to Ministry of Interior data 57,079 people were arrested for illegal entry and/or illegal stay in Greece during the first semester of 2009. More than half of them (29,536) came from Albania. A projection of the data indicates that the estimated inflow of illegal immigrants to Greece in 2009 will be lower than that of 2008 (146,337 people) but still higher compared with 2007 (112,364). It should be noted that the number of people arrested for illegal entry and/or illegal stay in Greece in 2008 was the highest since 2001.
A relevant report (Kyriakatiki Eleftherotypia, 15/8/2009) can be read here (in Greek only):
Greek immigration crisis spawns shanty towns and squats
Britain’s biggest-selling broadsheet newspaper offers its view on Greece’s immigration situation.
The Daily Telegraph’s full article (7/9/2009) can be read here (in English):
A new “subject” of slave labor: Immigrants from Bulgaria and Romania
Criminal gangs lure unsuspecting Bulgarians and Romanians in Greece by promising them decent work and pay and then force them to beg on the streets or to work under horrible conditions.
The relevant article (To Vima, 16/9/2009) can be read here (in Greek only):
The gangs take advantage of the fact that since January 1st, 2009 there are no border controls between Bulgaria and Romania and Greece. On this see RIEAS Newsletter on Immigration to Greece of January 2009 by clicking on the link below:
ELIAMEP admits that a public dialogue is needed on the issues of immigration and public safety and security
ELIAMEP’s general director Thanos Dokos admits that the increase of illegal immigration caused the collapse of the country’s immigration reception and control mechanisms and proposes that a
public dialogue on the issues of immigration and public safety and security should take place.
It should be noted that only a few years ago anyone who even dared to mention such issues was branded as a “fear-monger”. It is heartening to see that even staunch pro-immigration organizations such as ELIAMEP finally begin to realize the potential national security and social cohesion issues arising from mass illegal immigration.
Mr Dokos’ article (Kathimerini, 16/9/2009), can be read here (in Greek only):
A great success: RIEAS conference on “Illegal Immigration in Greece and National Security Issues”
The conference took place on September 16th 2009 at Titania Hotel in Athens city centre. The panel was chaired by Dr. Dimitris Kokkinos. The speakers were RIEAS’ Director Dr. Ioannis Nomikos, Ambassador and Former Secretary General at the Ministry of Interior Leonidas Evangelidis, Specialist in Terrorism and Security Studies Dr Darko Trifunovic, Analyst and Air-Force Brigadier (ret) Vassilis Giannakopoulos and myself as RIEAS Research Associate on Illegal immigration to Greece.
The conference was attended by many diplomats, servicemen, students of international relations and security issues, journalists and by members of the public interested in such issues. The Satellite branch of Greek National Television (ERT) covered the event. The conference’s success shows that it is better to organize a public event on the issues of illegal immigration and national security than just proposing it!
Unemployment is higher among foreigners than among Greeks
According to the National Statistics Service Labor Force Survey for the second trimester of 2009, unemployment was higher among people of foreign nationality than among Greeks (9.8% and 8.8% respectively). And still there are people who think that the country needs even more immigrants…
The NSS’ relevant press release can be read here (in Greek only):
Turkish authorities are aiding illegal immigrant influx to Europe – now with photos
Photos taken by a Latvian FRONTEX helicopter patrolling the Greek waters of the Aegean on September 14th show a Turkish coast guard vessel escorting – and not impeding - a boat carrying 24 illegal immigrants which was heading from the Turkish coast to Farmakonissi.
The full story (Kathimerini, 20/9/2009) can be read here (in Greek only):
The photos by the Latvian helicopter can be seen here: