Only 16 pct of asylum seekers can be sent back to Turkey

Just 16 percent of asylum seekers who undertook the journey to Greece can be returned to Turkey under Greek law and European directives, Maria Stavropoulou, the former head of the Greek asylum service, has told Kathimerini.

"Given what we know about Turkey, those who can be shipped back are mostly Syrians, who enjoy a high level of protection," said Stavropoulou, adding that the agency has ruled that 2,200 Syrians can be returned from Greece to Turkey on safe third country grounds.

"However, due to appeals and cancellation requests the process can take a very long time," she said.

Stavropoulou, whose second term in office expired a few days ago, said authorities have recorded a drop in the number of arrivals in categories that are not eligible to return to Turkey or to their countries of origin.

"Most people who land on the islands come from...