Seeking migration deal with Turkey

Migration was at the top of the agenda at Tuesday's meeting of the Council for Foreign and Defense Affairs (KYSEA), the government's top decision-making body on foreign, defense and security affairs.

The reason is the increased flows of migrants and refugees entering the country: So far in 2023, more than 30,000 have done so, compared to 18,000 for the whole of 2022 and 8,000 in 2021, a year partly marked by travel restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The government is eager to come to an agreement with Turkey to restrict migrant flows. Part of the deal would be the installation of a hotline allowing the two countries' coast guard chiefs to communicate directly and swiftly deal with any emergency.

Greece wants Turkey to do three things: better monitor its land and sea borders to prevent migrant flows to Greece; crack down on human traffickers; and accept...