“We will no allow anyone to illegally enter Greece,” Minister for Citizen’s Protection, Takis Theodorikakos,said on Tuesday after an increase of attempts by migrants to enter the country via the land and sea borders.
In an interview with ANT1 TV, Theodorikakos blamed Turkey for it and accused the neighboring country of trying to instrumentalise “illegal migrants” once again.
Regarding the land borders where the Evros river is more accessible in late spring and the summer months, the minister said that “there is pressure all these months.”
He warned that “everyone inside and outside the borders must know that the Greek Police and the Armed Forces are protecting the integrity of the country. We will not allow anyone to enter Greece illegally. Neither in Evros nor in our islands and let everyone realize this… The country, the prime minister and the government as a whole, with respect to the international law, are defending our national interests in a very stable way.”
Just yesterday, the Greek Coast Guard prevented 5 sailing boats with over 450 people onboard from entering the Greek territorial waters between the islands of Chios and Samos.
Tuesday morning, 4 inflatable boats with 140 migrants onboard were reportedly prevented from entering Greek territorial waters and reach Lesvos, Chios and Samos.
