Greece expands and strengthens the fence along the land border with Turkey in the area of the Evros River (Maritsa), which has proven to be 100 percent effective in deterring illegal migrants, Greek Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis said, quoted by the website of the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, quoted by BTA.
„The fence is completely effective in protecting the national and European borders”, the minister said during his visit to the site. He emphasized that the state will continue to invest in the capacity of the border region to ensure peace of mind for local residents.
„To the 450 border guards already hired in the last two years, another 150 will be added,” Gerapetritis added.
Construction of the fence began in 2020, when Greece began stepped-up measures to deter tens of thousands of migrants trying to enter the country from Turkey. In August 2022, the Greek government announced that the fence would be extended along the entire length of the Evros River, covering about 200 km.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis confirmed in 2023 that the project would be completed even without EU financial assistance. By March 2023, a section of 37.5 km was completed, after which a contract was signed for another 35 km, worth 100 million euros, financed by the Greek budget.