Citizens' Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis on Monday announced that Greek authorities will step up police and coast guard patrols on land and on the sea to stem any possible upsurge in the tide of illegal immigrants from the recently troubled North African countries, i.e. Egypt, Tunisia and to a lesser extent Algeria.
Papoutsis made the announcement after chairing a meeting with the leadership of Greek Police (EL.AS), the National Intelligence Service and the coast guard to discuss the situation in the region and strategies for coping with a possible surge in illegal immigrant, which has recently generated its share of public attention in the EU member-state. The meeting took place at the maritime Affairs, islands & fisheries ministry.
Papoutsis said there does not appear to be any particular cause for concern at present but that Greece should be prepared and in a state of readiness.
Checking the identity of all ferry passengers on domestic routes would be a part of this effort for stricter monitoring, he added.
Moreover, he emphasised that European Union authorities were starting to question Greece's ability to guarantee the protection of EU borders as required under the Schengen Pact, in addition to the problems with migration pressure faced by the country.
He was sharply critical of those mobilising legal and illegal migrants at a time when such actions were exceptionally risky and could well triggered "uncontrollable situations", as he said, a direct reference to the takeover of an Athens law school building last week by some 250 illegal immigrants and their local supporters.
