The Greek government is annoyed and concerned over the ultimatum given by the European Commission to better protect its borders from the migrant influx and the threat to be expelled from the Schengen zone.Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reacted to the disclosure of an EC confidential report regarding Greece’s border protection, and thereby Europe’s borders.
According to the report, “Greece has seriously neglected its obligations in implementing the Schengen Zone regulations” and Athens is essentially given three months to comply fully. If Greece fails to protect its borders as it is obligated to do, article 26 of the Schengen Agreement says that other countries have the right to shut their borders with Greece for up to two years.
According to European Union law, the EC must make suggestions to Greece on how to solve the problem. The suggestions should be approved by the Euroepan Council. According to article 19a of the Schengen Borders Code, the Commission can suggest specific measures to Greece or submit a strategic plan and provide support.
Government spokesperson Olga Gerovassili in an official statement said that, “Only two days ago, EU interior ministers decided that there should be a unanimous European solution to the migration problem.”
“The common ground for this decision is that the key to manage the refugee issue lies in Turkey and its obligation to implement what was agreed. So far there is no progress regarding that agreement, and the responsibility does not lie in our country,” Gerovassili said.
Government spokesperson Olga Gerovassili in an official statement said that, “Only two days ago, EU interior ministers decided that there should be a unanimous European solution to the migration problem.”
“The common ground for this decision is that the key to manage the refugee issue lies in Turkey and its obligation to implement what was agreed. So far there is no progress regarding that agreement, and the responsibility does not lie in our country,” Gerovassili said.
“Based on this, we consider that it is not constructive to isolate Greece on the occasion of an extraordinary assessment of the Schengen Mechanism that was done on November 10, when the situation was very differnet than it is two and a half months later,” she added.
Even though Greek government officials publicly say that the threats would not materialize, sources close to the Greek PM say that Tsipras and his cabinet are worried. Some even say that the blame game is part of a plan to make Greece seem responsible for the refugee problem.
Deputy Migration Minister Yiannis Mouzalas admitted that the situation is difficult for Greece, however he said that the next report on Greece’s performance on the migrant issue will be much more positive.
However, Greece is lagging behind on the establishment of reception and registration centers (hotspots). Athens had agreed to have five hotspots ready by now and only the one on Lesbos is in operation. Mouzalas said the rest will be ready by mid-February. The deputy minister also ruled out the possibility that Greece would be expelled from the Schengen area.
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