As well as dispatching elite troops to the region, the President of Greece, Mitsotákis’ centre-right government also decided to extend the existing 12.5km razor-wire border fence, equipped with sonar systems and thermal sensors, by another 40km, officials said. New sections will be placed in areas believed to be “vulnerable” to passage along the Evros river separating the two countries. Growing numbers of people have been bussed to the Evros region by Turkish authorities. Despite international criticism of Turkey exploiting migrants for its own political ends, Ankara continued to insist that the land border – unlike the Aegean isles – had never been part of the landmark accord reached in 2016 between Turkey and the EU to stem migratory flows. Indicative of the tensions between the two longstanding regional foes, Erdoğan ruled out meeting Mitsotakis, repeating unproven claims that Greek police had killed at least five migrants in clashes at the land border and were deliberating sinking boatsheaded for the islands. “I don’t want to be in the same place with him,” he was quoted as telling reporters on his return flight from Moscow. “I don’t want to be in the same photograph as him.”
Migrant Invasion of Europe Part 16
