Migrant boat on Greek shores. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK Tourism hotspot takes a hard stance. Amid violent events in Western Europe and a growing number of migrants seeking asylum in the continent's countries, Greece announced this week a dramatic move by closing its borders to asylum seekers from North Africa.
Prime Minister Mitsotakis passed the decision in an emergency call in the Greek Parliament yesterday (Thursday, 10.7) and also issued an official statement on the matter saying, "The Greek Government sends a decisive message. The route from North Africa to Greece is closed. Those who still manage to infiltrate will be detained and deported."
In his statement, the Greek Prime Minister did not mention that the decision was made for three months, and it is now unclear what will happen at the end of this period - whether the country's borders will open while facing great pressure expected to be directed towards the Greek administration by EU countries or whether they will remain closed further.
Prime Minister of Greece, Mitsotakis. Photo: SHUTTERSTOCKThis latest decision comes after a period in which the number of asylum seekers in Greece, mainly from Libya, has been increasing.
In Crete, they have been dealing with an increasing number of migrant boats arriving in the Gavdos area one after another, and even today, the migrant shelters in the west of the island cannot cope with the influx of asylum seekers. The handling of migrants has become even more problematic for the whole of Greece and Crete in particular, as the island is experiencing an especially busy tourist season.
Handling the migrants requires the allocation of local resources, manpower, and infrastructure, which are supposed to be directed towards other activities, especially during the summer season.