From its start, the Europe-Turkey agreement clearly appears to be absolutely problematic and puts a disproportionate burden on Greece. Not only has the flow of refugees from the neighboring country not been curbed, but everything suggests that it will carry on at the same rate, in spite of Europe’s wishful thinking.
Before the islands were cleared out from the previous wave of refugees, the so-called hot spots are filling up again with new refugees, who according to the agreement must be considered prisoners until their future is determined. A European official confirmed To Vima and admitted that Greece is being turned into a modern Ellis Island. With inefficient infrastructure and public administration, we expect help from other European countries, in order to see if and when this agreement can work.
Even in an ideal situation – which does not seem to be the case – that the agreement is implemented at a fast enough rate for Greece, it is clear that the 72,000 refugees who may theoretically be absorbed in Europe are a drop in the ocean compared to those who will try to enter our country. Of course nobody knows what will happen with 50,000 or so who are already stranded here in appalling conditions.
With the borders finally shut and internal border controls in spite of the Schengen agreement that is meant to be in effect, uncertainty over how the asylum application procedure will work out, it is rather easy for the situation to grow worse and out of control in a short time. Europe gave in to the so-called good will of Ankara, by passing on the problem to our country, which has so far proven that it cannot manage it.
The impressive solidarity of the Greek people obviously cannot address the problems of the refugees who are currently in Greece. More so when many of them refuse to stay at the scattered hospitality centers that have been set up the country, most of which provide the essentials.
For many reasons – social, financial, administrative – Greece cannot and must not turn into an endless refugee and migrant ghetto of “selection”. The wishful thinking from Brussels and inefficient government planning are not enough to avert such a prospect. The problem is unraveling before us and becoming increasing worse, unless a solid nation front and international alliances are established, to pressure European public opinion that a country like Greece cannot bear the brunt of such a huge wave of refugees.
TO VIMA
