Irregular migrant numbers to EU drop by half

The number of people trying to get into the EU dropped by around a half in 2012, the EU's border agency said 18 April 2013.

The Warsaw-based Frontex says some 73,000 people were detected in 2012, down from around 114,000 the year before.

The greatest decrease was noted along the Greek-Turkish land border. The border is a favoured entry point into greater Europe with thousands of migrants wading across the Evros River every week during the first eight months of 2012.

Frontex: Press Release: Annual Risk Analysis 2013 published http://www.frontex.europa.eu/news/annual-risk-analysis-2013-published-WuhFH2

ESO: Background Information: Euro-deputies back suspending Balkan visa-free regime 'as a last resort' http://www.europeansources.info/record/euro-deputies-back-suspending-balkan-visa-free-regime-as-a-last-resort/

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