EU Threatens to Suspend Greece from Schengen Treaty

Senior European Union officials warned that Greece could be suspended from the Schengen agreement unless the country tightens border controls.
There is frustration among EU country leaders over Greece’s inability to control the influx of migrants at its borders. Top European officials warn that unless Athens meets its obligations by mid-December, Greece will be kicked out of the Schengen treaty.
“The Germans are furious and that’s why people are talking about pushing Greece out,” an anonymous EU ambassador was quoted by the Financial Times as saying.
Almost 3,000 migrants who don’t qualify for refugee status are gathered near Greece’s border with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, FYROM, seeking passage to Europe.
Deputy Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas said that those unable to cross would be able to return to Athens. However no measures have been taken to transport the migrants to Athens.
At the same time, protesting migrants have blocked the railway line since November 18th. As a result some 1,800 wagons of cargo including perishable and seasonal goods have stalled at both sides of the border. The protest has caused millions of euros in financial damages to companies and railway operator TRAINOSE.
The Association of International Freight Forwarders and Logistic Enterprises of Greece urged Infrastructure Minister Christos Spirtzis to find a solution to the problem, on Tuesday.
On Tuesday, UNHCR organized bus transfers to Athens of about 1,000 non-Syrians, Iraqis and Afghans who were turned back by FYROM police.
Migration Ministry General Secretary Vasilis Papadopoulos made clear that authorities do not plan to build a reception facility for migrants and refugees in Idomene, near the FYROM border.
Greek authorities plan to accommodate migrants who return to Athens at the former Olympic hockey stadium. The decision has prompted a reaction from the local municipality.
UNHCR is seeking about 7,000 apartments and hotel rooms to accommodate some 20,000 asylum seekers eligible for the EU’s relocation program by the end of the year. Greece is to see 66,400 people relocated under the European Commission plan.
 

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