Migrant flow to Greece ebbs

Arrival numbers show decline three days after EU deal is enforced

Turkey: Turkey and Germany said a deal between Ankara and the EU meant to stem the flow of migrants to the Greek islands was showing signs of success, but many were still trying to cross the sea and the route remained far from sealed off.

Three days after the accord came into force, new arrivals on the Greek islands from Turkey dropped to 68 in the 24 hours to yesterday morning from 225 the previous day, data from the Greek migration ministry showed.

Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the decrease was a direct result of the deal with the European Union.

A spokesman for the German government, which lobbied sceptical European partners to back the accord, also said things were moving in the right direction.

“It is functioning, and the (number of ) illegal migrants is in decline,” Davutoglu said during a visit to Helsinki.

Under the accord, migrants and refugees who cross the Aegean Sea illegally are sent back to Turkey. Since it was implemented on Monday, 202 people, mostly from Pakistan, have been returned.

Greek and Turkish officials say more may be sent back this week.

But the number of illegal migrants arriving on the Greek islands fluctuates daily, and many are still trying to cross.

Turkish authorities detained several groups at sea shortly after dawn yesterday, including about 40 Iraqis, some of whom set sail in a small dinghy from a cove 20km south of the town of Dikili, a Reuters witness said.

Some people were left on the beach as the dinghy was too small to carry them all. They watched as the Turkish coastguard intercepted the vessel shortly after it set off.

“Greece does not want to host us. Turkey is not allowing us.

“Where should we go? We drown in the sea with our children, that’s it,” said one Iraqi, declining to give his name.

The UNHCR said Turkey had increased security on its shorelines but it was too early to say whether the EU-Turkey deal was having an effect.

Under the accord, the EU will take in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and reward it with financial aid, visa-free travel and progress in its EU membership negotiations. — Reuters