Tsipras says Greece carries the weight of the refugee issue all by itselfAthens, 21 October 2016 (MIA) - Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras called on the European Union member states to show efficient solidarity with Greece in handling the issue of refugees and migrants, more than 60.000 of whom have remained stuck in Greece.
"Greece carries the entire weight of the refugee problem", Tsipras said. More than a million people crossed through Greece and the Balkans on their way toward core EU countries in the 2015-2016 crisis, until eventually recipient countries demanded an end to the Balkan route, and Macedonia closed its southern border with Greece for irregular entries. Tsipras said that, even thought the agreement reached with Turkey in Brussels called for relocation of the people in Greece, only some 5.200 of them have been moved to other EU countries so far.
Tsipras also asked that the EU gives a clear answer to Turkey on the issue of visa liberalization for Turkish citizens. Turkey demanded this concession in order to continue keeping its borders closed for unregulated movement of refugees from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. EU has dragged its feet on the matter, and Tsipras warns that it might lead Turkey to go back on the deal.
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