Sun, Nov 22 2009

Greece urges EU backing against illegal immigration

Wed, Jun 17 2009 10:45 CET byClive Leviev-Sawyer 1517 Views 6 Comments
Greece urges EU backing against illegal immigration

Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis.

Greece urges EU backing against illegal immigration

PERIMETER: An African would-be immigrant holds onto a perimeter fence in an enclosed compound at the Safi detention centre outside Valletta. Malta, July 15 2008.


Greek prime minister Costas Karamanlis has reiterated his country’s call to the European Union for improved support against a relentless tide of illegal immigration, Greek and international media said.

As a follow-up to earlier correspondence, Karamanlis telephoned Jan Fischer, prime minister of the Czech Republic – the country currently holding the rotating presidency of the EU – to ask for enhanced EU support against the problem. In a letter in recent days, Karamanlis asked that the problem of illegal immigration be added to the agenda of the European Council meeting of heads of government and state on June 18 and 19.

Greece, Cyprus, Malta and Italy are the hardest-hit by a flow of illegal immigrants seeking access to opportunities in the EU.
Karamanlis has called for "a number of measures to be adopted without delay".

On June 10, the European Commission adopted a document setting out priorities in justice and home affairs for the next few years. The document included the statement that "practical use of the tools available to combat illegal immigration should be improved".

Greece has complained repeatedly that its attempts to cope with illegal immigration have stretched its resources to the limit.

The government in Athens has vowed tougher measures, including longer prison sentences, for human traffickers bringing illegal immigrants to Greece.

Comments

Anonymous Mikael/sweden Sat, Oct 17 2009 21:23 CET
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Illegal immigration to the Greece and Italy is due mostly to the mafia are allowed to hold undisturbed. It would not be single illigal immigrat in Italy if the Mafia in Italy is not in any way making billions of refugees.

Anonymous Boris Johnson Tue, Jul 28 2009 13:32 CET
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Karamanlis - on this occasion - is right. Greece is the first port of call for many illegal immigrants from the Near East and Afghanistan (Africans choose Italy), and they send "99.9 percent" of them on northwards towards France and the UK (The 99.9 figure comes from a recent UNHCR report about re-opening the Sangatte refugee camp near Calais; I didn't invent it.)

Greece has a genuine problem here, far more than it has with the hyped-up issue of the "Macedonia Name Game". I suggest that it get its priorities right, drop the "Macedonia" issue, and concentrates on the Real Problem: The Refugee Gateway from the South East.

Anonymous nadeem Mon, Jul 27 2009 12:55 CET
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If Greece allowed every illegal immigrant into the country the immigrants now would outnumber the local population. Illegal immigrants croosing evros river are hell bent on entering Greece not any other EU country. They would not be risking minefields and agean sea crossings into Greece, if they wanted to go elsewhere. They could easily enter from Bulgaria Spain Italy, Romania, All Iraqi and Afgan refugees should be taken in by the USA since they are Occupying both countries and created this refugee mess. Those lawyers and Amnesty International and the rest Of EU are just plain living in ladida land. They are absorbing or rather comprehending the grave situation Greece is going thru with illegal immigration. Also first port of call is where the immigrant is suppose to stay and that means Greece bearing the brunt of illegal immigrants, who want to stay in Greece

Anonymous Nadeem Sat, Jun 20 2009 12:13 CET
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The 60000-strong EU send a NATO forces in this immigrants counters first you take back forces automatic go back immigrants,

Anonymous Philosopher Thu, Jun 18 2009 10:05 CET
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JohnJo, the EU does not want to sort this mess. The EU wants more non EU immigrants so the medium sized firms who lobby their national governments can continue to exploit cheap labour.

Anonymous JohnJo Wed, Jun 17 2009 22:34 CET
Inappropriate comment?

Do not send to the UK we are full please deport them back to there own country the EU needs to sort this mess out.

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