Turkey has begun constructing an 8.5-kilometer wall along its border with Greece, as announced by Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer. This initiative is part of broader security measures and aims to enhance local security following prior infrastructure improvements. Greece has also increased border controls amid concerns over migrant influx following natural disasters.
The Turkish government has initiated the construction of an 8.5-kilometer wall along its border with Greece, as announced by Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer. This wall represents the first significant “physical security measure” on Turkey’s western border, aimed at enhancing local security and addressing public order concerns. Governor Sezer conveyed the importance of this project during a press conference held on March 4, stating, “We started from the Greek border. We will continue depending on the situation in the future. It depends a bit on the budget, but it will be around 8.5 kilometers.”
Additionally, the local administration had previously constructed 325 kilometers of roads parallel to the border and plans to implement further security enhancements. This year, efforts are focused on building electro-optical towers, in collaboration with the Interior and Defense Ministries, to fortify border security. The governorship aims to construct physical barriers and fences in locations where only patrol roads currently exist.
Greece is known to be a significant entry point into the European Union for numerous refugees and migrants originating from regions such as the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. However, reports from human rights organizations have accused Greece of engaging in “pushbacks,” an unlawful practice of forcibly ejecting migrants at its borders. Following the earthquakes in 2023, Greece strengthened its border controls in anticipation of a new influx of displaced persons, as reported by the Guardian.
Turkey’s commencement of an 8.5-kilometer wall along its Greek border marks a strategic effort to enhance border security and public order. The initiative also involves constructing additional infrastructure, such as roads and electro-optical towers, in collaboration with governmental ministries. This action occurs amidst heightened scrutiny of Greece’s border practices and its role as a transit point for migrants seeking entry into the European Union.
Original Source: www.duvarenglish.com
