Thousands of migrants have illegally entered Greece from Turkey, using unstable rafts to cross the Aegean Sea between the two countries.
United Nations data in September shows a significant increase in sea arrivals compared to last year's numbers. Illegal entries along the land border and the Evros River have also seen a record rise in the past two months alone, according to the police. Dimitris Petrovic, Deputy Regional Governor of Evros, Greece, attributes this surge to favorable weather conditions and receding water levels in the Evros River.
Human traffickers have become more ruthless, even recruiting minors who face less severe consequences than adult smugglers. Migration has been a source of tension between Greece and Turkey, with Greece accusing Turkey and its leader Erdogan of instrumentalizing migration to gain concessions and aid from the European Union. However, recent meetings between the leaders of the two countries indicate a willingness to work together to address the issue.
Greece has increased its deployment of forces along the Evros River and intensified patrols in the Aegean Sea. The Greek and Turkish coast guards are now in contact, and migration ministers from both sides are engaged in dialogue. The goal is to revise the 2016 EU-Turkey deal that allowed for the return of illegal migrants to Turkey in exchange for financial aid and visa-free entry for Turkish travelers to Europe.
The outcome of these negotiations remains uncertain, but both sides have tasked senior officials with working towards a potential deal to be signed during a summit in Greece in early December.
