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Die Welt: Deeper political refugee rift between Brussels and Athens

Rapid developments in Afghanistan may affect Greece again, and this causes great concern in Greece, as a country located on its external borders, according to a report by world, which refers to the processes of recent weeks, the discussions within the EU but also the disagreements over the management of a new refugee wave.

In the context of the Bled Strategic Forum in Slovenia, there was a disagreement between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the President of the European Parliament David Sassoli on the role of Greece and the responsibility of Europe, with the former stating that “a 2015 can not be repeated” and the second to answer that “we can not pretend that Afghanistan is not our business”.

Welt notes that the dispute “revealed a deeper political rift between Brussels and Athens.” recent years. For Athens, irregular immigration threatens national security. The EU, on the other hand, insists on solidarity in the face of humanitarian crises, such as the one currently under way in Afghanistan. “The member states are deeply pleased to have the Greek border guards.” A government source in Athens told Welt: “Greece sees migration and refugee flows as a serious challenge for itself and the EU as a whole.” According to Welt, “there are, among other things, concerns about the infiltration of jihadists into the refugee stream, obstacles to the integration of refugees and fears of violent radicalization.”

The report states about the Greek plans to intensify border controls: “Greece plans to strengthen patrols in the Aegean. Until now, the EU has supported the Greek border guards. But the money ran out. “Athens has asked Brussels for emergency funding – receiving a rejection (…) because the Commission first wants to independently investigate allegations of pushback in the Aegean.”

Elsewhere, Welt notes: “Even though Brussels is upset about the Greek stance, many Member States view Greece’s harsh border protection with a positive view. Austria and Slovenia, for example, are strongly opposed to receiving refugees from Afghanistan. Nevertheless, no one wants to be held responsible for bad images at the border. It is therefore good and convenient for the Greeks to take on the awkward role. The German government also avoids open criticism in Greece. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs only states that the protection of the EU’s external borders is subject to international and European law. “

source: Deutsche Welle

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