Evros is Greece’s hell gate

Despite the drastic government measures the inflow of illegal immigrants in Greece increases at an extreme pace. According to a document submitted by Public Order minister Nikos Dendias in parliament and presented by protothema.gr, Evros is the main gateway for illegal immigrants as in the first half of 2012, the number of arrested individuals alone has almost tripled compared with the corresponding period of 2011.

Dendias admits that "despite the availability of additional police in the Evros region and the presence of reinforcement troops from EU states, illegal immigration in the region was alarming during the first half of this year. This is a changing situation that seems to be transforming into a crisis, as lately the frequency of arrests in the Evros region exceeds 300 on a daily level."

The most typical case is that of Orestiada where the police station "during the first half of this year received the greatest migratory pressure at a rate of 151.56%, compared with the corresponding period of 2011." The minister said that the situation may worsen because of the problem in Syria, and that 35,000 Syrians are already hosted in Turkey in Red Cross camps.

According to the document, 44,602 illegal immigrants were arrested throughout the country during the first half of 2012. Of these, 20,841 were caught in Alexandroupoli and Orestiada. During the same period in 2011, arrests in the Evros region reached 16,196.

Specifically:

Illegal immigrants

Police Department - 1st half 2011 - 1st half 2012 - Change rate

Alexandroupoli           10,048              5,375                -46,51%

Orestiada                     6,148               15,466              +151,56%

Total                              16,196              20,841             +28,07%

For this reason the police forces of Orestiada and Alexandroupoli are getting reinforced:

- with 50 to 70 guest officers from EU Member States annually, as part of their participation in the joint exercise Poseidon 2012

- with 40 Greek border guards coming from border and illegal immigration police from around the country

- with 150 policemen from the same services from 25.06.2012

Is Europe sending us more illegal immigrants?

As Dendias revealed, changes in the already dangerous treaty for Greece, Dublin II, will be for the worse, noting that the country's negotiating position is irreversible.

Speaking to the parliamentary committee working on the bill for the detention of illegal immigrants, Dendias said "Dublin III, which is expected to close at the end of the year, retains responsibility for the country that first receives the illegal immigrants, an issue that created insurmountable problems for Greece. The text of the new treaty contains no beneficial exchanges for Greece. These decisions are the product of sadness and unhappiness."

The only window of optimism, according to the minister, is to create a common front in the southern countries in order to "form a powerful bloc in the new treaty."

Dendias said he has already informed the prime minister and asked the opposition parties to add their voices to the effort that will be made at the European Parliament in order to change the content of the agreement.