Greek PM Mitsotakis declared that “no illegal entries into Greece will be tolerated,” after officials in Ankara said they would no longer stop Syrian refugees from reaching Europe.
“Significant numbers of migrants and refugees have gathered in large groups at the Greek-Turkish land border and have attempted to enter the country illegally. I want to be clear: no illegal entries into Greece will be tolerated. We are increasing our border security…Greece does not bear any responsibility for the tragic events in Syria and will not suffer the consequences of decisions taken by others. I have informed the European Union of the situation,” the PM posted on Twitter.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan realises that the only way to pressure Europe on escalation in Idlib, Syria is by allowing refugees to go to Europe.
Yesterday, busses in Istanbul were picking up refugees to drop them off in Edirne, a Turkish town close to border crossings with Greece and Bulgaria.
Bulgaria is ready to deploy up to 1000 troops and military equipment to the border with neighbouring Turkey to prevent illegal migrant inflows, Minister of Defence Krasimir Karakachanov said.
In his latest remarks, he said that border police had prevented two groups of about 30 people from entering Bulgaria from Turkey early on Friday.
Greek journalist Savvas Karmaniolas reported that a dinghy boat carrying refugees also arrived on Lesbos on Friday.
In the age of social media, such news travels fast to all refugees in Turkey dreaming of reaching Europe.
