Greece’s migration policy: what’s next?

The election of Syriza in the Greek election in January 2015 brings hope to those who have been fighting for an ethical migration policy in one of Europe's least immigrant-friendly states.

In April 2015 figures published that the number of migrants and refugees crossing the border from Turkey into Greece almost quadrupled in the first quarter of 2015 in comparison with the previous year. Kathimerini called on the Greek government to overcome its reservations and take swift action.

Greece needs a long-term 'national strategy' to deal with the influx of undocumented migrants from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on the 7 April 2015 following a meeting in Athens with European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Greek legislative election, 25 January 2015 http://www.europeansources.info/record/greek-legislative-election-25-january-2015/

ESO: Background information: Greece requests emergency EU aid to fund migrant surge http://www.europeansources.info/record/greece-requests-emergency-eu-aid-to-fund-migrant-surge/

ESO: Background information: Two dead, 10 missing during alleged push-back operation off Greek island http://www.europeansources.info/record/two-dead-10-missing-during-alleged-push-back-operation-off-greek-island/

ESO: Background information: The rise of xenophobia and the migration crisis in Greece The Council of Europe’s wake-up call: 'Europe cannot afford to look away' http://www.europeansources.info/record/the-rise-of-xenophobia-and-the-migration-crisis-in-greecethe-council-of-europes-wake-up-call-europe-cannot-afford-to-look-away/

The Press Project, 14.02.15: Athens wants to end refugee suffering (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE158350-Athens-wants-to-end-refugee-suffering

EurActiv, 10.04.15: Illegal migrants arriving in Greece by sea triple in 2015 http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/illegal-migrants-arriving-sea-greece-triple-2015-313689

Kathimerini, 12.04.15: Tsipras must stop mass immigration (via Euro|Topics) http://www.eurotopics.net/en/home/presseschau/archiv/aehnliche/archiv_article/ARTICLE161354-Tsipras-must-stop-mass-immigration

Kathimerini, 10.04.15: Greece need 'national strategy' on immigration, PM says after meeting EU commissioner http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_07/04/2015_548895

Kathimerini, 10.04.15: Islands of eastern Aegean struggle as migrant influx triples http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_wsite1_1_10/04/2015_549009

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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