Papoulias: Illegal migration a European problem

President of the Republic Karolos Papoulias stressed that illegal migration is a European problem, and sent clear messages to the EU and to Turkey for confrontation of the issue, in a statement in the Evros region where he attended Epiphany celebrations on Wednesday.

Papoulias called on the EU to apply an “integrated policy” on the issue, and on Turkey to control its borders and “immediately and tangibly” implement the re-entry protocol between Greece and Turkey.

The Greek President stated that “the efforts of those who want to escape absolute party, seeking a better life elsewhere, is a deeply human issue”.

However, he added, “for Greece, the massive illegal migration is also a national issue”.

“From here, Evros, every day a veritable village of 200-300 illegal migrants is added daily to the country. It is our duty to unite our efforts, with determination, at all levels — national, European and bilateral — to confront the problem,” Papoulias continued, noting that 80 percent of illegal migration to the EU enters through Greece, and “this cannot continue”.

“It is a European problem. The European Union must adopt and implement an integrated policy on illegal migration and asylum. I call on Turkey to collaborate constructively with the EU, to control its borders and to immediately and tangibly implement the Greece-Turkey Re-entry Protocol,” Papoulias concluded.