Press Release: Refugee Crisis: Greece activates EU Civil protection mechanism, agrees Frontex operation at border with former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and triggers RABIT mechanism

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details IP/15/6249 (03.12.15)
Publication Date 03/12/2015
Content Type

The European Commission anounced on 3 December 2015 that Greece had decided to increase its efforts in addressing the migration and refugee crisis, activating EU mechanisms designed for crisis situations.

+ Activation of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which includes material support to help cope with the influx of refugees and asylum seekers in the country. This voluntary delivery of aid is coordinated by the European Commission's Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC);

+ Operational plan with Frontex for a new operation at the Greek border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, where the agency was expected to assist with the registration of migrants;

+ Deployment of a Rapid Border Intervention Team (RABIT) operation to provide immediate border guard support at its external border in the Aegean islands.

The announcement was made as Home Affairs ministers gathered for a meeting in Brussels. Media sources reported Greece had been subject to informal threats by other member states belonging to the Schengen agreement over a potential suspension of the country's Schengen membership should Greece not step up its efforts to control its borders.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-15-6249_en.htm
Related Links
EUObserver, 02.12.15: Report: Greece threatened with Schengen suspension https://euobserver.com/migration/131337
European Commission: The Rapid Border Intervention Teams Mechanism (RABIT) http://ec.europa.eu/news/2015/docs/factsheet_rabit.pdf
ESO: Background information: Meeting on the Western Balkans Migration Route: Leaders Agree on 17-point plan of action http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-meeting-on-the-western-balkans-migration-route-leaders-agree-on-17-point-plan-of-action/
EurActiv, 03.12.15: Greece told it could be kicked out of Schengen http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/greece-told-it-could-be-kicked-out-schengen-320064
EUObserver, 04.12.15: Greece accepts EU border help under Schengen threat https://euobserver.com/migration/131387
Kathimerini, 03.12.15: Greece asks EU for help with refugees following threats http://www.ekathimerini.com/204021/article/ekathimerini/news/greece-asks-eu-for-help-with-refugees-following-threats
BBC News, 04.12.15: Migrant crisis: Greece seeks EU help amid border chaos http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35002315
The Wall Street Journal, 03.12.15: Greece Agrees to More EU Help With Migrants http://www.wsj.com/articles/eu-set-to-pressure-greece-on-border-controls-1449147603
The Guardian, 02.12.15: [Opinion] Kicking Greece out of Schengen won’t stop the refugee crisis http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/dec/02/refugee-crisis--greece-schengen-europe-border-controls
Kathimerini, 01.12.15: Greece faces Schengen threat amid refugee impasse http://www.ekathimerini.com/203971/article/ekathimerini/news/greece-faces-schengen-threat-amid-refugee-impasse
ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/
ESO: Background information: Turkey stops refugees en route to Greek islands http://www.europeansources.info/record/turkey-stops-refugees-en-route-to-greek-islands/
EurActiv, 04.12.15: Greece finally accepts EU help to secure its borders http://www.euractiv.com/sections/justice-home-affairs/greece-finally-accepts-eu-help-secure-its-borders-320121
Politico, 03.12.15: Greece asks for EU help to tackle migration crisis http://www.politico.eu/article/athens-asks-for-eu-help-to-tackle-migration-crisis-greece-border-germany/
Kathimerini, 04.12.15: EU provided inadequate help for refugees, minister says http://www.ekathimerini.com/204045/article/ekathimerini/news/eu-provided-inadequate-help-for-refugees-minister-says
Politico, 04.12.15: Schengen survives, for now http://www.politico.eu/article/schengen-survives-for-now/
Politico, 06.12.15: Greece to set up island hotspots http://www.politico.eu/article/greece-to-set-up-island-hotspots-migrant-government/
EUObserver, 10.12.15: Greece dismantles Macedonia border camp https://euobserver.com/justice/131463
EUObserver, 10.12.15: [Opinion] EU blame game causes migrant suffering in Greece https://euobserver.com/opinion/131452
EUObserver, 14.12.15: Greece wants migrants to apply for asylum wherever they want https://euobserver.com/migration/131508
EurActiv, 08.01.16: EU should erect new Greek frontier to stop migrants, Hungarian PM says www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/eu-should-erect-new-greek-frontier-stop-migrants-hungarian-pm-says-320813
ESO: Background information: Balkan countries implement tighter border restrictions http://www.europeansources.info/record/balkan-countries-implement-tighter-border-restrictions/

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