Turkish crisis rings alarm bells for Greece’s refugee problem

Turkey’s continuing political crisis after the failed military coup and its strained relations with its allies in the West have raised questions over the application of the recent EU-Turkey agreement which was meant to stem the flow of illegal immigration into Greece.

Turkish authorities tasked with implementing the Agreement have been recalled by their Government, prompting the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker to warn there was a danger of the agreement falling apart.

Mr. Juncker explained that President Erdogan has repeatedly cast the agreement in doubt and underlined that Europe should expect that refugees will continue to arrive.

Post military coup events have seen a spike in people fleeing Turkey and reaching Greek territory, with an estimated 476 refugees and immigrants reaching Lesbos since July 15.

As early as yesterday morning, another two boats carrying 116 African immigrants reached the island.