Armed forces and all competent authorities in Greece are on high alert in view of the developments in the Maghreb. The aim is to be prepared to cope with the possible large immigration flows to the country from Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia and Morocco.
The issue that has been of serious government concern in recent days was discussed at a meeting between the Minister for Citizen Protection Christos Papoutsis, the Chief of Police Eleftherios Ikonomou, the head of the Coast Guard Konstantinos Soulis and the Director of the National Intelligence Service, Ambassador Konstantinos Bikas.
The Minister admitted that there was no direct threat of increased immigration flows, "but we are obliged to prepare the country in all ways." Christos Papoutsis called immigrant organizations to prevent their members from participating in events which could lead to tension during this period. According to the Minister, possible conflicts could adversely affect immigrants living in Greece.
"There are people who have been trying diligently to mobilize and activate immigrants – illegal ones or legal residents – who face problems in our country. All of them are in a state of great uncertainty and concern. Therefore, we believe that it is extremely dangerous to breed such protests in this period because they are very likely to grow into uncontrollable situations," was the message of the Minister for Citizens Protection to various activists and political parties, having a clear hint to the organizers of the hunger strike of the 253 illegal immigrants at the Law School of the University of Athens.
"We call on all those who wish to express their solidarity towards immigrants in one way or another to do it without affecting neither the security, nor what the Greek people have gained," said Christos Papoutsis and once again asked illegal immigrants to get involved in the European Union funded programs to return to their home countries.
As for the strikers Christos Papoutsis said that these people stayed legally in the country in recent years since they could work out the 150 workdays a year necessary to be issued temporary residence documents. "They have lost their jobs due to the economic crisis. They feel insecure and therefore seek a solution. Ministries of Interior and Labour are in constant contact with them and I believe a proper solution will be found."
The Minister concluded his statement reiterating that "protests should not be organized as they could lead to tension or acts of desperation. They also could become a field of exploitation by people who rely on social and political impasse."
Meanwhile, it became clear that the government has decided to deploy at the Greek port a huge fortress ship which will serve as reception centre for illegal immigrants. A delegation headed by Ambassador Kyriakos Amiridis – in charge of the Office of the Minister for Citizens Protection – and the deputy director of the Greek police Ioannis Rahovitsas left to Holland a few days ago where the procedures concerning the use of the ship at the Greek port were discussed. The option of renting other vessels to accommodate illegal immigrants was also discussed during the meetings in Rotterdam.
According to sources from the Ministry, the rent fee the Greek state will pay for the huge vessel will be approximately 300,000 euros per year. The initial amount a Greek businessman offered to drag the ship was one million euros. The amount has deterred the plans of the police department for some time. It seems, however, that they have found a cheaper solution. According to the initial plan, the ship will dock at the port of Alexandroupoli in a place of restricted access.
The works related with the 12.5 km long fence, which will be built along the land border between Greece and Turkey, continue in parallel. The embassies in Israel and Spain have to submit data on existing structures there. According to recent estimates, the fence in the Evros area will be ready by early July.
RSS
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
