Newsletter on Immigration to Greece
Editor: Ioannis Kolovos
The issue of illegal immigration was discussed in Parliament - again
Nothing we haven’t heard before. Still, actions speak louder than words!
The discussion can be read in full here (in Greek only)
Illegal immigration has a significant negative impact on public finances and on the labor market
The troika has realized the obvious and is putting pressure on the Greek government to act on the issue.
The relevant article (To Vima online, 1/2/2012) can be read in full here (in Greek only)
A new plan for the surveillance of the Greek-Turkish land border in Evros is under way
The new plan’s implementation will involve high technology cameras coupled with the experience gained by the participation of Frontex forces in the area’s surveillance.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 5/2/2012) can be read in full here (in Greek only)
Greece to build £2.5million six-mile razor wire wall to block worst illegal immigration route into Europe
The Daily Mail’s view of the wall being built in Evros.
The relevant article (Daily Mail, 7/2/2012) can be read in full here (in English)
Significant number of foreigners among those arrested for the riots and looting in Athens city center
One out of three people (26 out of 79) arrested for the riots and looting in Athens city center on Sunday February 12th, was a foreigner according to Police data. 15 out of the 26 foreigners are charged with the looting of the smashed-in shops
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 14/2/2012) can be read in full here (in Greek only)
The Minister of Education has finally seen the light!
The Minister of Education Ms Anna Diamandopoulou admitted in an interview that “We cannot let things be until the EU decides to formulate a policy for immigrants…Before anything else we – and not the Police – have to decide how many immigrants the country can take in”.
Ms Diamandopoulou’s interview (To Vima, 19/2/2012) can be read in full here (in Greek only)
IOM’s voluntary repatriation program is bearing fruit
The IOM has received more than 4,500 applications, 1,278 foreigners have already been repatriated and after the program’s conclusion about 2,500 foreigners will have been repatriated.
The relevant article (Ethnos, 25/02/2012) can be read in full here (in Greek only)