The Turkish Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Thursday issued a long press release lecturing Greece on how to deal with the migrant problem and accusing Athens of “spreading propaganda.”
Responding to Greek PM Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who recently described the situation in island migrant camps as “unmanageable,” Turkey’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hami Aksoy said in a press release that the characterization is “baseless and unfortunate.”
“Compared to the migratory crisis of 2015, when 850,000 irregular migrants reached Europe, the current level of crossings have reduced by 94 percent, thanks to measures taken by Turkey,” Aksoy averred.
The press release goes on to say that Turkey is hosting more than 4 million externally displaced people. “Our Greek counterparts as well as international community should understand that it is not fair for Turkey to solely shoulder the burden of migration, which is a global problem.”
It further accuses Greece of pushing back irregular migrants at the border, stating “Disregarding European values, these people are subjected to inhumane treatment.”
“We deem it appropriate to remind Greece that opting for cooperation with Turkey in this matter will bring more effective results instead of making propaganda against Turkey,” the statement adds, urging Greece to take a number of steps which would alleviate the problem.
Speaking at an event on youth participation in European politics in Zagreb on Wednesday, PM Mitsotakis warned that “Greece has reached its limits” in terms of the number of refugees and migrants it can accommodate, adding that the European Union needs a common system on asylum which will replace Dublin.
He said that Greece receives an average of 500 migrants and asylum seekers a day and that the situation on the islands is now “unmanageable,” while the transfer of refugees to the mainland is causing reactions in the local population there.
“We do not see how this trend will stop in the near future,” Mitsotakis complained, stressing that migration is an issue which concerns the entire European Union.
Responding to the Turkish accusations, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that “Greece, as a favorable, democratic country, does not accept lessons from anyone.”
”Turkey, instead of giving lessons, it would be a good idea to fully implement the provisions of the EU-Turkey Joint Declaration and to stop using refugees as a means of pressure against Greece and Europe,” the Greek response noted.
Related: Greece to Set Up New Migrant Detention Camps, Shut Down Notorious Moria
See all the latest news from Greece and the world at Greekreporter.com. Contact our newsroom to report an update or send your story, photos and videos. Follow GR on Google News and subscribe here to our daily email!
