All News on Social Issues in Greece
Athens readies for Ankara’s next move
Greece is reportedly in a heightened state of vigilance at all levels, so that in the coming period of its forced introversion to tackle the Covid-19 pandemic the conditions are not created that would allow Ankara to spring any surprises.
The country’s challenge
The country's defenses are holding up. But we are still at the beginning. The coronavirus pandemic is not only testing Greece's public health system; it is also taking a toll on the economy. The impact is already evident.
The message of Evros
For anyone that still needed to be convinced, the evacuation on Friday by the Turkish authorities of hundreds of migrants who had for weeks waited at the border crossing with Greece aiming to force their way into Europe lifted any remaining doubts about what was at stake.
Turkey withdraws migrants from Evros land border
Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, Turkish authorities on Friday evacuated hundreds of migrants from Turkey's land border with Greece.
The migrants were among an estimated 10,000 that had gathered at the border hoping to cross into Greece and Europe after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's government had said last month it would not prevent them from leaving.
Turkey moves migrants from Greek border amid virus pandemic
Turkish authorities have evacuated thousands of migrants who had been waiting at the border with Greece hoping to make their way into Europe, as a precaution amid the coronavirus pandemic, Turkey's interior minister said on March 27.
PM says no complacency over border protection, as migrant camp is evacuated
Despite the apparent evacuation of a makeshift camp set up by migrants at the border region between Greece and Turkey, forces will remain in the area to ensure that nobody attempts to break through the fence, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a teleconference with cabinet ministers on Friday to discuss the situation at the Evros region.
Uni-pharma to produce, offer free chloroquine to state for Covid-19 treatment
Greek pharmaceutical company Uni-pharma SA on Friday announced that it has launched production of the medicine Unikinon, which has recently been cited as a possible drug for the treatment of Covid-19, after receiving a shipment of five tons of chloroquine from India the previous Saturday.
Migrants appear to be evacuating Evros region
Greek authorities believe Turkish authorities are starting to evacuate the migrants sent to the border in the northeastern Evros region to try to cross into Europe.
Shortly after midnight on Thursday, migrants who have been camping out on the Turkish side of the fence collected their tents and other objects and set them on fire inside the forest of Kastanies.
Turkey vows to escalate push to send hundreds of thousands of migrants to EU, used live fire on Greek troops
As the global coronavirus spreads and with a death toll of over 20,000 Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is ratcheting up tensions with Greece with a military escalation.
Turkey’s track record of weaponising refugees
Since the onset of the Syrian refugee crisis, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has avoided developing a long-term strategy to help or integrate these refugees in Turkey. Instead, he has used them as bargaining chips with the European Union. In his latest attempt to weaponize these refugees, Erdogan is no longer halting their attempts to reach Europe.
EU to launch new Libya sea patrols from April, say diplomats
The European Union will launch a new Mediterranean naval and air mission in April to stop more arms reach warring factions in Libya, EU diplomats said on Thursday, with Greece agreeing to take in any migrants rescued at sea.
Man in Thessaloniki arrested for transporting 12 teenage migrants
Greek authorities arrested a Syrian man after finding 12 Egyptian teenagers hidden in his van following a car chase through the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki early Thursday, police said.
Presidents Rumen Radev and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa: Under Conditions of Crisis, Solidarity Should not Remain only in Words
Under conditions of crisis, European solidarity should not remain only in words. The quick coping with the situation created by the coronavirus in Europe requires that the European institutions and member states should pool joint efforts. This was the common stance adopted by the Presidents of Bulgaria and Portugal, Rumen Radev and Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, who held a telephone conversation.
Tsipras cautions Turkey over provocations, urges ‘bold decisions’ on coronavirus
In a message on the anniversary of the 1821 uprising against Ottoman rule, leftist opposition leader Alexis Tsipras issued a call for unity in the face of Turkish provocations against Greece's territorial integrity.
Greece Ramps up Restrictions but Faces Criticism over Coronavirus Response
That same day, the health ministry called for trained doctors and nurses, not currently working, to volunteer. Documents seen by BIRN suggest the ministry is organising fast-track training in triage and intubation in regional hospitals.