Research Institute for European and American Studies
Newsletter on Immigration to Greece
Editor: Ioannis Kolovos
On the distinction between "illegal immigrants" and "refugees"
A very insightful comment by journalist Tassos Telloglou, as terminological accuracy is always essential in the understanding of any issue.
The relevant article can be read here (in Greek only)
Deputy Minister for Citizen's Protection admitted that people with extremist views may be included among illegal immigrants
The Deputy Minister for Citizen's Protection Mr Nikos Toskas admitted that the inflow of immigrants from Turkey to Greece is so large that people with extremist views may be included among immigrants and may pose a threat. His words were proven right a few days later when the terrorist attacks in Paris took place.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 8/11/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
A search-and-rescue mission in the Aegean
Greece's Ministry of Immigration Policy publicized the video of a search-and-rescue mission in the Aegean Sea. The video also points out the inaction of the Turkish Coast Guard.
The video can be viewed in full here (in English)
A charting of the illegal immigrant and refugee inflow to Greece from the Turkish coasts
The deputy Minister for Immigration Policy Mr Yiannis Mouzalas publicized a PowerPoint presentation which charted the flows of illegal immigrants and refugees from the Turkish coasts to Greece. The presentation included information on the route of one of the terrorists in the Paris attacks, who entered the EU through the island of Leros.
The presentation can be viewed in full here (in Greek only)
Illegal immigrant smuggling ring smashed
Ten people (8 Pakistanis, one Afghan and one Greek) were arrested in the island of Lesvos as part of a ring which smuggled illegal immigrants and circumvented the screening and identification processes of the Greek authorities. The ring provided illegal immigrants with falsified documents and ferry tickets. It was estimated that the ring forwarded to mainland Greece 400-500 illegal immigrants daily!
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 20/11/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
Frontex to restructure its office in Greece
The Frontex Management Board decided to restructure the Frontex Liaison Office (FLO) in Piraeus by incorporating it into the EU Regional Task Force, as of January 2016. This will reinforce the existing office while improving cooperation between Frontex, Europol and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).
The relevant news item can be read in full here (in English)
Greece is a place of transit of jihadis
A news report which lists the tracings of jihadis who have crossed through Greece.
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 22/11/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)
The current number of unofficial mosques in Athens
Ministry of Interior's former general secretary for Population and Social Cohesion Mr Aggelos Syrigos argued that the number of unofficial mosques currently operating in Athens is "about 60".
The relevant article (Kathimerini, 22/11/2015) can be read here (in Greek only)