The influx of immigrants into Greece represents a problem for Europe as a whole says Greek interior minister.
The huge influx of illegal immigrants entering Greece is not just a Greek problem, but a European problem, interior minister Prokopios Pavlopoulos says.
In the last two years illegal immigrants crossing into Greece accounted for almost 50 percent of the EU total. Pavlopoulos said the problem was down their location and poor border security.
"A problem exists with illegal ... Read more

The influx of immigrants into Greece represents a problem for Europe as a whole says Greek interior minister.
The huge influx of illegal immigrants entering Greece is not just a Greek problem, but a European problem, interior minister Prokopios Pavlopoulos says.
In the last two years illegal immigrants crossing into Greece accounted for almost 50 percent of the EU total. Pavlopoulos said the problem was down their location and poor border security.
"A problem exists with illegal immigration because European borders are not being properly guarded. Greece's borders are European Union borders. What is really important is for the European Union to take measures, with Frontex, to guard the borders," Pavlopoulos said, speaking at an informal justice and home affairs meeting hosted by EU president Sweden on Thursday (July 16).
Sweden says it will make immigration a priority during its six month presidency of the European Union. It sets out to develop a flexible, comprehensive and coherent migration policy. Sweden hoped the discussions at Thursday's informal meeting outside the capital will outline strategies for the Stockholm Programme, a five year action plan for immigration. But Greece, Malta and Italy who due to their geographical location receives huge amounts of immigrants due to their geographical location say their problems are more imminent. The countries have been criticised for the treatment of people seeking refuge in their country.
Greece's raid of illegal immigrant camps in the port city of Parts on Sunday (July 12) has been criticised by human rights and immigrants groups.
On Tuesday (July 14) the UNCHR accused Italian authorities for mistreating African migrants stopped from crossing the sea to Europe and diverted to Libya. The UNCHR found that a significant number of those stopped where in need of international protection. The Italian navy reverted the group to Libya without food or other necessities. Italian interior minister Roberto Maroni did not wish to comment on the issue to Reuters while attending the immigration discussions in Stockholm. But EU Commissioner for justice and immigration Jacques Barrot told a news conference he had discussed the matter with Maroni.
"We sent a letter to the Italian government. I asked them what the situation was and I also explained them very carefully how such situations need to be dealt with," Barrot said.
"In terms of discussion with minister Maroni earlier today I would like to say that I have been reassured to the effect that there is no further need for such operations, because thanks to an agreement between Italy and Libya far fewer illegal migrants are coming in," he added.
The international financial crisis is also increasing the strain on some government's migration policies. Government authorities in Greece say the country is already struggling with high unemployment and is unable to provide jobs for the huge amount of immigrants.
Barrot said that despite the economic crisis Europe has a responsibility to accept those in serious need of asylum.
"The duty of asylum is for people who fear persecution, who are really at risk of violence and there for that sort of obligation regardless of economic crisis Europe has a duty to play host for those who really fair persecution," he said.
"I believe Europe can establish a harmonised procedure or a procedure that at least converges between our member states then it is not going to make us a soft touch, or increase the flow inwards, but rather that we can really offer asylum to those who deserve protection," he added.
Justice and home affairs minister, Carmelo Bonnici, of tiny EU member Malta is calling for a stronger commitment from EU in carrying the burden of their huge amount of immigrants. He said the amount of immigrants arriving on the Island with a population of 400.000 people would equal that of one million people coming to France, Germany or Italy.
To set an example for other member states France has resettled 92 immigrants who had come to Malta.
"If all the 27 member states were to realise and those countries within the European Union who do not have the same pressures which we have or other countries have would participate as France has participated, then it would be more than enough," Bonnici said.
"We would be moving in the right direction," Bonicci said. Close