ATHENS: Athens on Thursday firmly denied that the new tighter German border controls would result in “thousands” of migrants and asylum seekers being sent back to the country.
This response comes as Berlin enforces stricter security protocols along its borders with several EU neighbors to manage the rising number of irregular migrants.
During an interview with state TV channel ERT, Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said, “There never was and still is no issue of mass returns.” He said that the European Union’s agreements specify “a very limited number” of people who may be returned to Greece, which serves as the initial entry point for many seeking to access the EU’s visa-free Schengen Area.
Germany’s decision to tighten border controls follows a series of attacks that have heightened public anxiety and increased support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Earlier this month, Berlin tightened measures at its borders with five EU countries—France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark—expanding similar restrictions already in place with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria, and Switzerland.
German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the new measures could “massively” increase the number of migrants denied entry into Germany, although she did not provide specific estimates on how many people might be affected.
Greece, which has already faced significant challenges in managing migrant inflows remains cautious about accommodating additional asylum seekers. The country has expressed concerns regarding its capacity to handle more refugees.
Panagiotopoulos acknowledged that Germany is interested in returning more refugees to their countries of initial asylum, including Greece, as allowed under EU immigration regulations.
