Athens Macedonian News Agency: News in English, 16-02-09

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Tsipras has phone contact with Merkel on her visit to Turkey

[02] Europe may even close the borders even if Greece meets its obligations, says Alt. Migration Minister

[03] Alt FM Xydakis briefs Austrian Ministers on Greece's efforts and positions on the refugees issue

[01] Tsipras has phone contact with Merkel on her visit to Turkey

Tsipras made clear that any involvement of the NATO will concern the Turkish territorial waters and should by no means affect Greece's sovereign rights, she underlined.

Gerovassili also made clear than the issue of joint patrols in the Aegean has not been raised.

[02] Europe may even close the borders even if Greece meets its obligations, says Alt. Migration Minister

"There will be no tragic events, but it will be a difficult issue that we will be able to address," he explained.

Mouzalas summed up the national policy for the refugees to: the identification centers to be ready and adequately staffed, creating relocation centers for refugees and asylum seekers, and temporary centers.

Moreover, Greece is asking a safe corridor for refugees from Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon, and immediate readmission to Turkey of those not seeking asylum or refuse voluntary return.

He also referred to the issue of unaccompanied children saying that "we are lagging significantly behind." To address that issue, he said that a committee composed by the ministry, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, UNICEF and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) has been set up.

[03] Alt FM Xydakis briefs Austrian Ministers on Greece's efforts and positions on the refugees issue

Xydakis' meeting with Mikl-Leitner took place in a constructive atmosphere. The two ministers focused on the refugee crisis, of historic dimensions, that Europe is facing, as well as on the need for the countries of Europe to work together in facing the crisis.

Leitner referred to the shared historical course of the two countries, while Xydakis stressed that the two countries are essentially "in the same boat." Leitner referred to the problem posed for Austria by the increased number of refugees it is being called upon to accommodate. Moreover, she requested a detailed briefing on a number of issues that concern the management of refugee flows.

On his part, Xydakis highlighted that Greece, based on international law, must rescue these people, and that is what it is doing. At the same time, he explained that the Greek Coastguard is operating beyond its capabilities and needs material and staff support.

He also noted that the European Union must collaborate to support Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan – where Syrian refugees are being hosted – to improve refugees' living conditions and intercept the refugee flows. He highlighted the need to strengthen the UN World Food Programme, which in 2015, due to lack of funding, dramatically reduced refugees' daily nutrition, which made refugees seek alternative refuge.

He also informed the Austrian Minister of the Interior of the fact that Greece is adequately guarding its maritime borders – in ongoing cooperation with Frontex as well as its land borders. "You can't stop refugees with fences at sea. Desperate people will seek another route," Xydakis noted, stressing that throughout the previous period Greece has been requesting assistance that it has not received at the rate it should. "Naturally, we are seeing weaknesses, but, due to the unprecedented size of the refugee flows, these were to be expected. We believe, however, that these issues can be dealt with through the revitalization of European solidarity, and not by falling into the trap of a blame game," Xydakis said, referring to the debate that has opened up in the EE with regard to the Schengen Treaty.

In response to a question from Leitner regarding the Greek-Turkish readmission protocol, Xydakis noted the delays that have been seen on the part of Turkey and the efforts that have been made recently to improve cooperation between the two countries. Leitner assured Xydakis that Austria will support Greece with human resources and equipment, and the two ministers agreed on the need for sincere relations of cooperation between the two countries.

The Greek minister met subsequently with the Secretary General of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, Dr. Michael Linhart. The two collocutors focused on the refugee issue.

Linhart acknowledged that Greece is facing a demanding situation – just as difficult as that of Austria – and noted that the two countries must work together with the aim of finding European solutions. He referred in particular to the completion of the hotspots and the functioning of the relocation mechanism, stressing that every positive step that is taken restores European cooperation.

Xydakis thanked Austria, stressing that the two countries share a common burden. He explained the technical issues Greece is facing with regard to guarding its maritime borders; issues that it is coping with while at the same time rescuing thousands of people. He noted the delay in European assistance and requested Austria's political and substantial support: "The European Union is coming up against the lack of trust between its members, and diplomacy must play a positive role," Xydakis stressed.

He also referred to the issue of the support of FYROM by the member states of the EU – an issue that has arisen in recent days – and stressed that the member states must safeguard the Union, strengthening the trust and cooperation among them. Finally, he noted that Greece has redoubled its efforts but sees as necessary a European solution, the implementation of the relocation plan, as well as the implementation of the Joint Action Plan with Turkey.

On Tuesday, Mr. Xydakis will travel on to Bratislava, where he will meet with the Foreign Minister of Slovakia, Miroslav Lajčák, and the Deputy Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Ivan Korčok.

Mr. Xydakis will complete his tour on Wednesday, in Budapest, where he will meet with Hungary's Interior Minister, Sándor Pintér, Deputy Minister of State for European Affairs, Takács Szabolcs Ferenc, and Economic Diplomacy Minister, Levente Magyar.

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