Refugee crisisGreece to be expelled from Schengen free travel zone agreement
Greece is likely to be expelled or suspended from the Schengen free movement zone as European leaders appear to have concluded that the Greek government does not have to will, or the ability, to control the country’s borders. EU have been pressuring Greece for months to stem the flow of refugees from Turkey into Greece – and from Greece to other EU countries – but to no avail.
Map shows that Greece is not contigous EU members // Source: commons.wikimedia.org
Greece is likely to be expelled or suspended from the Schengen free movement zone as European leaders appear to have concluded that the Greek government does not have to will, or the ability, to control the country’s borders. EU have been pressuring Greece for months to stem the flow of refugees from Turkey into Greece – and from Greece to other EU countries – but to no avail.
Al Jazeera reports that Belgium, Austria, and Sweden earlier today (Monday) issued a last-call to Greece to regain control over the country’s borders. Their call came hours before EU interior ministers meet in Amsterdam for an emergency session aiming to find ways to save Schengen system from collapsing.
The measures being discussed this afternoon include plans significantly to bolster EU security forces on Greece’s border with Macedonia. The Greek government has adamantly objected to the move, saying it would create a “cemetery of souls” on the Greek side of the border.
Another idea being discussed is allowing countries greater freedom to re-impose border controls within the Schengen area by extending emergency border controls, which are allowed by the agreement, from six months to two year.
Germany, Austria, Belgium, Sweden, and Denmark are backing the proposal.
“If we cannot protect the external EU border, the Greek-Turkish border, then the Schengen external border will move towards central Europe,” said Johanna Mikl-Leitner, Austria’s interior minister.
“It is a myth that the Greek-Turkish border cannot be protected. The Greek navy has enough capacities to secure this border. It is one of the biggest navies in Europe,” she added.
The wave of refugees coming into Europe – more than one million in 2015 – has forced seven Schengen states, including Germany, to re-impose emergency border checks which are described as “temporary,” but which are not going to be lifted any time soon.
