Migration flows: Pressure on the Greek islands from more than 3,300 illegal immigrants in the June-July period

More than 3,300 illegal immigrants in two months, in June and July, have been rescued by the Hellenic Coast Guard in 171 incidents in the Aegean Sea. Among them, 117 traffickers were identified and arrested while 60 boats were seized.

From June 2023 to June 2024 until this year, 58,582 entries have been recorded while the corresponding period last year was about 21,000, noting a large increase. The price paid to trafficking rings is €4,500 per person.

Since June 2023, migration flows have shown an escalating increase. Significantly, within three months, flows increased sevenfold and in September 2023, a negative record for the year was recorded as the month with the most arrivals and rescues.

With immediate action, the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy from September 2023 began to activate links and contacts with the Turkish Coast Guard. In January 2024, Christos Stylianides met with his Turkish counterpart in Ankara, accompanied by both the Chief of the Coast Guard and staff members of the Agency. During the meeting, actions were discussed and decided on regarding the general cooperation between the Greek and Turkish Coast Guard, with particular emphasis on the exchange of information in order to combat organized criminal networks.

According to the Confidence Building Measures, it was agreed, among other things, to reactivate the communication channel between the Greek and Turkish Coast Guard, with the main purpose of information exchange as well as greater immediacy of actions on the part of the Turkish Coast Guard in cases of illegal immigration. From September 2023 to April 2024, the Coast Guard has arrested 330 traffickers and seized 130 vessels.

A joint report by the UNHCR, the International Organization for Migration and the Center for Mixed Migration estimates that there are large gaps in protection and assistance along the central Mediterranean routes.

There is a larger migration flow through the Sahara desert than through the Mediterranean.

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