Vyssa

In the wake of Germany's decision to reintroduce controls at its external borders, the Hellenic Police (ELAS) is updating its plan for the protection of the land borders between Greece and Turkey on the Evros River. 

Although Turkey's leadership is persisting with its strong rhetoric aimed at Greece regarding the migration issue, the facts on the ground indicate a tendency toward cooperation.

In encouraging signs over the last two days, Greece and Turkey have sought to deliver a message of understanding on the subject of migratory flows on the Evros border between the two countries.

Citizens' Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis was on Wednesday expected to carry out an inspection along the country's land border with Turkey amid reports that Greek police decided to strengthen the area's defenses with the mobilization of additional forces.

Anticipating a possible surge in migrants from the Turkish side of Greece's northeastern border, the leadership of the Hellenic Police (ELAS) has decided to strengthen the area's defenses with the mobilization of additional forces.

Greek Police (ELAS) has decided to send an additional 14 riot police units at the country's northeastern border with Turkey, to assist the existing police force and army, Kathimerini understands.

Despite Turkey's decision to evacuate the refugee camp at the Kastanies border crossing last month, tensions remain in the Evros River region as indicated by two incidents on Thursday night.

Citizens' Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis on Monday joined his Defense counterpart Nikos Panagiotopoulos on a visit to the Greek-Turkish border area of Evros, where they stressed that despite the departure of thousands of migrants and refugees from the Kastanies crossing, the "state of emergency" is not over.

Greek authorities believe Turkish authorities are starting to evacuate the migrants sent to the border in the northeastern Evros region to try to cross into Europe.

Shortly after midnight on Thursday, migrants who have been camping out on the Turkish side of the fence collected their tents and other objects and set them on fire inside the forest of Kastanies.

The Turkish government's decision on Wednesday to close its borders with Greece and Bulgaria as a measure against the coronavirus pandemic is seen to mark the end of the three-week migrant crisis in the Evros region that pitted it against Athens and Brussels.