Six days ahead of the last European Council under the Czech presidency (June 18-19), Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis sent a letter to his Czech counterpart elaborating on Greece’s stance regarding illegal migration, an issue which is expected to top the European leaders’ agenda in their upcoming meeting.

Greece argues in favour of a comprehensive European approach and financial support for countries such as Italy, Spain and Greece, the boarders of which are more vulnerable. Karamanlis calls for the European Union to sign bilateral repatriation agreements with countries, the nationals of which flee to Europe. He also calls for the EU to urge Turkey to abide by the repatriation agreement signed with Greece.

Meanwhile, a series of domestic measures will be put forward, said the premier. Boarder controls will be intensified, stricter penalties against human traffickers will be imposed, and eleven military camps, currently out of use, will be turned into reception centres for undocumented migrants.

Greek News Agenda: Immigration: Common EU Policy Needed

Source: GREEK NEWS AGENDA issued by the Secretariat Genera

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