Greece on the Brink of Another Migrant Crisis

The European Union has sent Greece hundreds of millions of Euros so that the country can do something about the burgeoning migrant crisis on the Greek borders. With so many migrants headed to the country, there are worries that it could cause a crisis similar to the migrant crisis from 2015. 

European Migrant Crisis 2.0

E.U. Commissioner President Ursula von der Leyen explained the move saying, “This border is not only a Greek border, it is also a European border. I thank Greece for being our European shield in these times.” 

She announced that Greece would receive nearly $800 million in funding. The money would be used to establish and maintain the “infrastructure” of the Greek border. The move comes amid the escalating crisis caused by Turkey opening their borders to Greece in a move designed to push Europe into action over the Syrian war – and the resulting fallout. 

“Our first priority is making sure that order is maintained at the Greek external border, which is also a European border. I am fully committed to mobilizing all the necessary operational support to the Greek authorities,” she said.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish President, said his decision to open the borders had pushed over 100,000 to cross the border into Greece so far. This estimate is much higher than the assessment of the Greek authorities, who say only around 32,000 people tried to cross into the country. About 280 people were arrested for crossing the border, the majority coming from Afghanistan. 

There are signs that the flood of migrants and refugees is organized to some degree. Buses, cabs, and cars are assembled in Istanbul, ready to ferry refugees to the Greek border. Some of the people who have crossed the border said that they were encouraged to do so by Turkish authorities, who told them the border was open. 

Despite all this, there are signs that the situation at the border is getting worse. Migrants got into clashes with authorities on Friday with Greek riot-control firing tear gas and water cannons at immigrants to keep them away. 

Attempting to Stop a Second Crisis

According to estimates by Reuters, Turkey is currently housing 3.6 million Syrian refugees after signing a deal with the E.U in 2016 that said the country would act as a gate to Europe. Turkey was to receive several billions of euros worth of aid in return. The deal stated that Turkey agreed to stop sending their migrants and refugees into Europe for $6.6 billion in aid and better relationship with Europe, including visa-free travel for Turkish citizens to E.U countries. 

The consequences of Erdogan opening the floodgates to Europe could be felt across the continent. It already has some European leaders panicked. The 2015 migrant crisis was caused by an influx of Syrian refugees into Europe, along with other immigrants from across Africa and the Middle East. It had a huge impact on the continent, including social and political upheaval. It led to the election of several nationalist and populist governments that vowed to prevent more immigrants from entering their countries. 

“This, I dare to say, will be our last chance. Europe cannot fail twice,” European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas said this week.