Frontex Reports 57,000 Illegal Immigrants Crossed the Greek Borders in 2011

Border management alone cannot solve the vast problem of illegal immigration, noted Michal Parzyszek, spokesperson for the European Union Agency Frontex.
In his interview to SKAI broadcasting agency, Mr. Parzyszek underlined the importance of achieving cooperation on a multi-national level. Both the neighboring countries and the country of origin of the immigrants must agree and fully cooperate to address the mounting problems of illegal immigration.
The situation between Greece and Turkey has been characterized by the Frontex official as complicated, and only a bilateral cooperation could make the border management become more efficient.
The spokesperson of Frontex also added that the EU units have helped the Greek authorities patrol the Greek border areas and provided them with the necessary technical equipment to aid their job. Moreover, Frontex assisted the identification of the incomings’ origin in order to prepare their repatriation.
According to Frontex, 57,000 illegal immigrants were recorded trying to cross the Greek borders in 2011.
“The Greek situation is unique across Europe. Greece cannot face the massive waves of immigrants crossing its borders alone” said Mr. Parzyszek. Moreover, he announced the new operation of Frontex for 2012.