Athens Says Greece Under ''Extraordinary and Asymmetrical Threat''

Greece is experiencing extraordinary and organized pressure by mass population movements, according to the spokesperson for the Greek government on Sunday evening.
Stelios Petsas made these remarks following the conclusion of a meeting of the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defense.
Petsas further stated that Turkey is directing and encouraging these mass population movements, an action which is in violation of the European Union-Turkey Statement of 2016.
The spokesperson noted that these people are attempting to enter Greece by using violence, and thus the country is under an ”active, serious, extraordinary and asymmetrical threat against its security.”
For this reason, the Greek government announced that the country will upgrade its security to the maximum possible level across the country’s eastern border by strengthening its police and military units.
Greece will also suspend all asylum applications for one month for those who enter the country illegally.
Petsas also said that Athens will attempt to send all those who enter Greece illegally back to their country of origin, without recording their data.
The country will also ask for assistance in materiel and personnel in order to deal with the unprecedented situation at the border by asking for the activation of the Rapid Border Intervention Mechanism of FRONTEX.
Greece will also request emergency assistance from the European Union due to the current extraordinary situation.