With just 2,000+ cases and 99 deaths, Greece seems to break the chain of transmission in Europe. Experts are calling the Greek Model a textbook example of crisis management. WION's gets you a report.

Gravitas: Greece is winning the fight against Covid-19 | Wuhan Coronavirus

The economic cost of the deadly pathogens affecting olive trees in Europe has been estimated to over €20 billion.

The team of researchers made projections for Italy, Spain and Greece, which between them account for 95 per cent&nbsp;of European olive oil production.

The&nbsp;study has been published&nbsp;in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS).

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According to the study,&nbsp;it can cause damages worth&nbsp;€17 billion alone in Spain in the next 50 years.

<img alt="Olive trees" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e4172b07-9ed9-4194-ab64-9463c4cda0d7" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/_111724705_4.png" />

(The impact of infection with Xylella - the trees on the right have not yet been exposed to the bacterium)

A similar scenario in Italy would amount to over five billion, while in Greece, the losses would be under two billion.

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Also known as Xylella fastidiosa&nbsp;pathogen is&nbsp;transmitted&nbsp;by sap-sucking insects such as spittlebugs.

The bacterium which has killed swathes of trees in Italy, now poses a potential threat to olive plantations in Spain and Greece.

Researchers have&nbsp;analysed&nbsp;the future adverse&nbsp;impacts of the disease which can&nbsp;increase the costs of olive oil for consumers.

Xylella is considered to be one of the most dangerous pathogens for plants anywhere in the world.

It can infect cherry, almond and plum trees as well as olives and&nbsp;has been&nbsp;associated with olives after a strain was discovered in trees in Puglia in Italy in 2013.

At present there is no cure for the infection which&nbsp;limits the tree's ability to move water and nutrients and over time it withers and dies.

Other then&nbsp;Italy, the Xylella bacterium has now been found in Spain, France and Portugal.

The economic cost of the deadly pathogens affecting olive trees in Europe has been estimated to over €20 billion. The team of researchers made projections for Italy, Spain and Greece, which between them account for 95 per cent of European olive oil production.

The economic cost of the deadly pathogens affecting olive trees in Europe has been estimated to over €20 billion. The team of researchers made projections for Italy, Spain and Greece, which between them account for 95 per cent of European olive oil production. The study has been published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). Also read: Cold war bombs help scientists discover whale sharks can live up to a century! According to the study, it can cause damages worth €17 billion alone in Spain in the next 50 years. (The impact of infection with Xylella - the trees on the right have not yet been exposed to the bacterium) A similar scenario in Italy would amount to over five billion, while in Greece, the losses would be under two billion. Also read: Uranus wasn't always tilted: Find out what actually happened! Also known as Xylella fastidiosa pathogen is transmitted by sap-sucking insects such as spittlebugs. The bacterium which has killed swathes of trees in Italy, now poses a potential threat to olive plantations in Spain and Greece. Researchers have analysed the future adverse impacts of the disease which can increase the costs of olive oil for consumers. Xylella is considered to be one of the most dangerous pathogens for plants anywhere in the world. It can infect cherry, almond and plum trees as well as olives and has been associated with olives after a strain was discovered in trees in Puglia in Italy in 2013. At present there is no cure for the infection which limits the tree's ability to move water and nutrients and over time it withers and dies. Other then Italy, the Xylella bacterium has now been found in Spain, France and Portugal.

Lethal olive tree disease across Europe is costing billions

Germany will welcome up to 500 unaccompanied minors from Greek migrant camps in the coming weeks, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, while urging other EU countries to follow suit.

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"We said (to the Greek authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) that we want to take in between 350 and 500 children in the next few weeks," Maas said in an interview with the RTL/ntv broadcaster.&nbsp;

The minister said he hoped other countries would also take in young migrants. "We want to set an example here."

The German cabinet on Wednesday agreed to initially accept 50 children from overcrowded camps on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios.

The "unaccompanied minors under the age of 14" will be placed in quarantine for two weeks in the state of Lower Saxony before relocating to different regions of the country, according to a spokesman for the Interior Ministry.&nbsp;

A test for the new coronavirus will also be carried out no more than three days before their arrival in Germany.

Transfers from the migrant camps could begin next week, an Interior Ministry statement said Tuesday.

Tens of thousands of asylum-seekers live in dire circumstances in Greek camps, and conditions have worsened recently due to outbreaks of the coronavirus.

Ten European countries have agreed to participate in an EU programme announced at the beginning of March to take in some of the 1,600 vulnerable minors in Greek camps.

However, most have yet to take any concrete action, with border restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis complicating the situation.

German Development Minister Gerd Mueller has called the camps a "disgrace", and urged Brussels to act to avert a "catastrophe".

"Apart from Luxembourg, we are the only ones who are still willing to accept minors," Maas said Wednesday.

Luxembourg has agreed to take in 12 minors.

Other countries that said they would participate are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland, Lithuania and Portugal.

Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has also called for more action.&nbsp;

"In recent weeks we have flown 300,000 EU citizens back to the European Union from all over the world because of the virus outbreak. Surely it should be possible to get several thousand young people out of Greece for humanitarian reasons," he said in an interview with German broadcaster RND.

Claudia Roth, a German Green party politician and vice-president of the Bundestag, told news agency DPA that the government decision to accept 50 minors was "long overdue and just a drop in the ocean".

German NGO Pro Asyl, meanwhile, said the plan was "completely insufficient" and called for the camps to be evacuated immediately.

Germany will welcome up to 500 unaccompanied minors from Greek migrant camps in the coming weeks, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, while urging other EU countries to follow suit.

Germany will welcome up to 500 unaccompanied minors from Greek migrant camps in the coming weeks, Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said Wednesday, while urging other EU countries to follow suit. Also read: How China is muzzling voices that speak against President Xi Jinping "We said (to the Greek authorities and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees) that we want to take in between 350 and 500 children in the next few weeks," Maas said in an interview with the RTL/ntv broadcaster. The minister said he hoped other countries would also take in young migrants. "We want to set an example here." The German cabinet on Wednesday agreed to initially accept 50 children from overcrowded camps on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios. The "unaccompanied minors under the age of 14" will be placed in quarantine for two weeks in the state of Lower Saxony before relocating to different regions of the country, according to a spokesman for the Interior Ministry. A test for the new coronavirus will also be carried out no more than three days before their arrival in Germany. Transfers from the migrant camps could begin next week, an Interior Ministry statement said Tuesday. Tens of thousands of asylum-seekers live in dire circumstances in Greek camps, and conditions have worsened recently due to outbreaks of the coronavirus. Ten European countries have agreed to participate in an EU programme announced at the beginning of March to take in some of the 1,600 vulnerable minors in Greek camps. However, most have yet to take any concrete action, with border restrictions imposed by the coronavirus crisis complicating the situation. German Development Minister Gerd Mueller has called the camps a "disgrace", and urged Brussels to act to avert a "catastrophe". "Apart from Luxembourg, we are the only ones who are still willing to accept minors," Maas said Wednesday. Luxembourg has agreed to take in 12 minors. Other countries that said they would participate are Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Finland, France, Ireland, Lithuania and Portugal. Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn has also called for more action. "In recent weeks we have flown 300,000 EU citizens back to the European Union from all over the world because of the virus outbreak. Surely it should be possible to get several thousand young people out of Greece for humanitarian reasons," he said in an interview with German broadcaster RND. Claudia Roth, a German Green party politician and vice-president of the Bundestag, told news agency DPA that the government decision to accept 50 minors was "long overdue and just a drop in the ocean". German NGO Pro Asyl, meanwhile, said the plan was "completely insufficient" and called for the camps to be evacuated immediately.

Germany to take up to 500 children from Greek camps

Greece recorded its first coronavirus case at the end of February. It has reported 1,425 cases and 53 deaths, excluding the cases on the ferry.

Greece hosts over 100,000 migrants in crowded camps

COVID-19 is hitting refugees camps, these camps could become the worst victims of coronavirus pandemic. Indiscriminate in targeting its victims, COVID-19 exposes the needs of tens of millions of refugees and displaced persons in destitute camps in Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Bangladesh and shantytowns across Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

Overcrowded migrant camps at high risk of contracting COVID-19

Young computer engineer Haris Geremtzes is the co-founder of AidPlex, a new start-up that was producing splints and braces using 3d printing technology. But when the coronavirus infection hit Greece, he and his partner Dimitrios Moustakas realized they needed to apply their technology elsewhere in order to find a swift solution to shortages in the medical sector. They are now producing plastic face and eye shields using 3d printing techniques for Greece's doctors and hospital staff.

Greek companies use 3d printing in fight against coronavirus

Italian authorities on Tuesday announced the seizure of nearly 2,000 respirators intended for patients receiving hospital treatment for the novel coronavirus in Greece.

Respirator exports have been banned in Italy since February 25.

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Italian police and customs officials said the 1,840 units comprised both the valve that pumps oxygen and the accompanying mask and various tubes.

They said the equipment came in sizes that fitted both adults and children. It was seized from a truck that was about to set off on a ferry.

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Greece has reported 15 COVID-19 fatalities and more than 600 infections.

Italy's world-leading death toll topped 6,000 on Monday.

Italian authorities on Tuesday announced the seizure of nearly 2,000 respirators intended for patients receiving hospital treatment for the novel coronavirus in Greece.

Italian authorities on Tuesday announced the seizure of nearly 2,000 respirators intended for patients receiving hospital treatment for the novel coronavirus in Greece. Respirator exports have been banned in Italy since February 25. Also read: India sends aid to Italy, the new global epicentre of coronavirus pandemic Italian police and customs officials said the 1,840 units comprised both the valve that pumps oxygen and the accompanying mask and various tubes. They said the equipment came in sizes that fitted both adults and children. It was seized from a truck that was about to set off on a ferry. Also read: UK virus 'accelerating' amid fears country on same path as Italy Greece has reported 15 COVID-19 fatalities and more than 600 infections. Italy's world-leading death toll topped 6,000 on Monday.

Italy seizes nearly 2,000 respirators on way to Greece

Some Greeks headed to the beach on Saturday (March 14) after the government imposed further measures to halt the impact of coronavirus.

Greeks head to beach as cafes, taverns, malls, shut down over virus

The Greek Super League announced on Friday it had postponed this weekend's playoffs until further notice due to the coronavirus.

The Super League statement described the situation as "a critical moment" and explained the move was about their "responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19".

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Olympiakos topped the table at the end of the regular season with 66 points, 14 ahead of second-placed title holders PAOK Thessaloniki.

The two clubs are set to be joined by AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, OFI Crete and Aris Thessaloniki in a round-robin tournament to decide the league champion.

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A playoff was also scheduled for the bottom sides in the league to determine which club would be relegated.

"Each of us, every citizen of Greece, must fight his own battle so that we can all come together to emerge victorious from this ordeal, the pandemic that afflicts the world," the league said.

The Ministry of Health announced on Friday 190 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded so far in Greece with one death registered.

The Greek Super League announced on Friday it had postponed this weekend's playoffs until further notice due to the coronavirus. The Super League statement described the situation as "a critical moment" and explained the move was about their "responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19".

The Greek Super League announced on Friday it had postponed this weekend's playoffs until further notice due to the coronavirus. The Super League statement described the situation as "a critical moment" and explained the move was about their "responsibility to limit the spread of COVID-19". Also read: FIFA recommends March, April internationals be postponed Olympiakos topped the table at the end of the regular season with 66 points, 14 ahead of second-placed title holders PAOK Thessaloniki. The two clubs are set to be joined by AEK Athens, Panathinaikos, OFI Crete and Aris Thessaloniki in a round-robin tournament to decide the league champion. Also read: England end Sri Lanka cricket tour amid coronavirus pandemic A playoff was also scheduled for the bottom sides in the league to determine which club would be relegated. "Each of us, every citizen of Greece, must fight his own battle so that we can all come together to emerge victorious from this ordeal, the pandemic that afflicts the world," the league said. The Ministry of Health announced on Friday 190 cases of COVID-19 have been recorded so far in Greece with one death registered.

Greek Super League playoffs on hold due to coronavirus

Greece announced two more coronavirus deaths on Saturday bringing the toll to three, as an unprecedented lockdown takes effect.

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A 67-year-old man died on Zakynthos island early on Saturday and a 90-year-old man died in the northern city of Ptolemaida, the health ministry said.

Both men had health problems.

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The man in Zakinthos was believed to have contracted the virus after visiting a hospital in western Greece where the first fatality was confirmed, Athens News Agency reported.

Greece closed shops, bars and restaurants on Friday as well as tourist sites such as the Acropolis as coronavirus cases jumped from 117 to 190.

Only supermarkets, pharmacies and medical facilities have been allowed to stay open.

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The government had already shut down schools and universities, courts, cinemas, gyms and other indoor public gathering areas for two weeks in an effort to curb the outbreak.

A torch relay for the Tokyo 2020 Games has been cancelled after Hollywood actor Gerard Butler, who starred as the ancient Spartan King Leonidas in the 2007 epic "300", was mobbed as he lit a cauldron in the city of Sparta.

The Greek Olympic Committee said crowds had ignored "repeated warnings" not to gather at stopovers in the torch relay.

The flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on Thursday without spectators after dozens of people tested positive for COVID-19 in the region.

Meanwhile, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus and he would self-isolate for two weeks as a precaution.

Greece announced two more coronavirus deaths on Saturday bringing the toll to three, as an unprecedented lockdown takes effect. Also read: Greece to hand reins to first woman president amid coronavirus fears A 67-year-old man died on Zakynthos island early on Saturday and a 90-year-old man died in the northern city of Ptolemaida, the health ministry said.

Greece announced two more coronavirus deaths on Saturday bringing the toll to three, as an unprecedented lockdown takes effect. Also read: Greece to hand reins to first woman president amid coronavirus fears A 67-year-old man died on Zakynthos island early on Saturday and a 90-year-old man died in the northern city of Ptolemaida, the health ministry said. Both men had health problems. Also read: Flame for 2020 Tokyo Olympics lit in Greece amid virus lockdown The man in Zakinthos was believed to have contracted the virus after visiting a hospital in western Greece where the first fatality was confirmed, Athens News Agency reported. Greece closed shops, bars and restaurants on Friday as well as tourist sites such as the Acropolis as coronavirus cases jumped from 117 to 190. Only supermarkets, pharmacies and medical facilities have been allowed to stay open. × The government had already shut down schools and universities, courts, cinemas, gyms and other indoor public gathering areas for two weeks in an effort to curb the outbreak. A torch relay for the Tokyo 2020 Games has been cancelled after Hollywood actor Gerard Butler, who starred as the ancient Spartan King Leonidas in the 2007 epic "300", was mobbed as he lit a cauldron in the city of Sparta. The Greek Olympic Committee said crowds had ignored "repeated warnings" not to gather at stopovers in the torch relay. The flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on Thursday without spectators after dozens of people tested positive for COVID-19 in the region. Meanwhile, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said his wife had tested positive for the coronavirus and he would self-isolate for two weeks as a precaution.

Coronavirus death toll in Greece rises to three

Greece on Friday prepared to swear in the first woman president in its history as the country grapples with over a hundred coronavirus cases.

Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, a 63-year-old senior judge, will become the new Greek head of state for a five-year term.

She will take her oath in parliament, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece's foremost military monument and go to the presidential mansion for a handover ceremony with outgoing president Prokopis Pavlopoulos, parliament said.

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Sakellaropoulou was elected by parliament in January by 261 out of 300 lawmakers, one of the broadest cross-party majorities in Greek history.

She has set out her priorities as tackling the economic crisis, climate change and mass migration.

The new president was until now the head of Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State.

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The daughter of a Supreme Court judge, Sakellaropoulou completed postgraduate studies at Paris's Sorbonne University.&nbsp;

She was the first woman to lead the Council of State.

Although the president is nominally the head of the Greek state and commander-in-chief, the post is largely ceremonial.

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Greek presidents confirm governments and laws and technically have the power to declare war -- but only in conjunction with the government.

Greece has so far announced 117 cases of coronavirus, one of whom died on Thursday after ten days in the hospital.

Three people are in intensive care and the government has shut down schools and universities, courts, cinemas, gyms and other indoor public gathering areas for two weeks in an effort to curb the outbreak.

Greece on Friday prepared to swear in the first woman president in its history as the country grapples with over a hundred coronavirus cases. Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, a 63-year-old senior judge, will become the new Greek head of state for a five-year term.

Greece on Friday prepared to swear in the first woman president in its history as the country grapples with over a hundred coronavirus cases. Ekaterini Sakellaropoulou, a 63-year-old senior judge, will become the new Greek head of state for a five-year term. She will take her oath in parliament, lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Greece's foremost military monument and go to the presidential mansion for a handover ceremony with outgoing president Prokopis Pavlopoulos, parliament said. Also read: Flame for 2020 Tokyo Olympics lit in Greece amid virus lockdown Sakellaropoulou was elected by parliament in January by 261 out of 300 lawmakers, one of the broadest cross-party majorities in Greek history. She has set out her priorities as tackling the economic crisis, climate change and mass migration. The new president was until now the head of Greece's top administrative court, the Council of State. Also read: European Union announces €2000 as aid to migrants in Greece to return home The daughter of a Supreme Court judge, Sakellaropoulou completed postgraduate studies at Paris's Sorbonne University. She was the first woman to lead the Council of State. Although the president is nominally the head of the Greek state and commander-in-chief, the post is largely ceremonial. Also read: Coronavirus can live in infected people for weeks longer than first thought Greek presidents confirm governments and laws and technically have the power to declare war -- but only in conjunction with the government. Greece has so far announced 117 cases of coronavirus, one of whom died on Thursday after ten days in the hospital. Three people are in intensive care and the government has shut down schools and universities, courts, cinemas, gyms and other indoor public gathering areas for two weeks in an effort to curb the outbreak.

Greece to hand reins to first woman president amid coronavirus fears

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey.

"The accommodation by the Greek side of illegal migrants near our border is a pre-requisite for building up of additional tensions. This is not good-neighbourly and is unreasonable!" Krasimir Karakachanov posted late Monday on Facebook.

The comments came after Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi announced over the weekend that Athens wanted to build two closed centres in the northern region of Serres that borders Bulgaria and in the Athens area with 1,000 places.

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Greece already struggling to accommodate thousands of asylum-seekers stranded in the country has come under even more pressure since Turkey stopped preventing migrants and asylum seekers from leaving for EU territory.

"The Bulgarian army is on standby, and I guarantee that I won't allow a new migration wave to our country," wrote Karakachanov, the leader of the nationalist VMRO party, a junior coalition partner in the government.

"Bulgaria will not pay other people's bills".

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Bulgaria borders on both Greece and Turkey to the southeast but has so far not seen an influx of asylum seekers.

Conservative prime minister Boyko Borisov recently welcomed what he said was "zero migration" thanks to a barbed-wire fence Bulgaria built on the 259-kilometre (160-mile) border with Turkey and his close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Bulgaria's 493-kilometre border with Greece is guarded by border police and has also has not seen any pressure recently.

In talks with Erdogan last week in Ankara, Borisov proposed undertaking "actions which would contribute to solving the crisis in Syria and stop migration pressure" on the region.

He has long pressed for the setting up of closed security centres for asylum seekers outside the EU, funded by the bloc.

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey.

Bulgaria's defence minister has hit out at "unreasonable" Greek plans to build a camp near their border to shelter asylum seekers amid a migration surge from Turkey. "The accommodation by the Greek side of illegal migrants near our border is a pre-requisite for building up of additional tensions. This is not good-neighbourly and is unreasonable!" Krasimir Karakachanov posted late Monday on Facebook. The comments came after Greek migration minister Notis Mitarachi announced over the weekend that Athens wanted to build two closed centres in the northern region of Serres that borders Bulgaria and in the Athens area with 1,000 places. Also Read: Why some EU countries are struggling to relocate migrants Greece already struggling to accommodate thousands of asylum-seekers stranded in the country has come under even more pressure since Turkey stopped preventing migrants and asylum seekers from leaving for EU territory. "The Bulgarian army is on standby, and I guarantee that I won't allow a new migration wave to our country," wrote Karakachanov, the leader of the nationalist VMRO party, a junior coalition partner in the government. "Bulgaria will not pay other people's bills". Also Read: Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates Bulgaria borders on both Greece and Turkey to the southeast but has so far not seen an influx of asylum seekers. Conservative prime minister Boyko Borisov recently welcomed what he said was "zero migration" thanks to a barbed-wire fence Bulgaria built on the 259-kilometre (160-mile) border with Turkey and his close ties with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Bulgaria's 493-kilometre border with Greece is guarded by border police and has also has not seen any pressure recently. In talks with Erdogan last week in Ankara, Borisov proposed undertaking "actions which would contribute to solving the crisis in Syria and stop migration pressure" on the region. He has long pressed for the setting up of closed security centres for asylum seekers outside the EU, funded by the bloc.

Bulgaria opposes Greek plans for refugee camp near border

As Greece faced fresh violence on its borders on Saturday, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greece-blocks-35000-migrants-plans-to-deport-arrivals-after-march-1-284533">Turkish </a>coastguard to prevent migrants crossing the Aegean sea.

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"On the orders of the president... permission will not be given for migrants to cross the Aegean sea because it is dangerous," Turkey's coastguard said, adding," The approach of not intervening against migrants wishing to leave Turkey remains in practice but this (new) approach covers sea crossings because of the dangers."

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Clashes between Greek police and migrants continued on Saturday. Greek police once again resorted to tear gas to push back the migrants as PM Mitsotakis accused Turkey of "assisting" the migrants gathered at the border.

"EU countries, including Greece, must abide by their international responsibilities and accept the applications of refugees," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement.

"Accusing a country that hosts the most number of refugees in the best possible way of using migration for political aims is another indication of the two-faced approach we have been subjected to for years. With this statement, the EU is itself using this issue as a political tool," it added.

Meanwhile, Turkey's coastguard rescued around 120 migrants at sea even as Erdogan discussed the crisis with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

As Greece faced fresh violence on its borders on Saturday, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the Turkish coastguard to prevent migrants crossing the Aegean sea.

As Greece faced fresh violence on its borders on Saturday, Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan ordered the Turkish coastguard to prevent migrants crossing the Aegean sea. Also Read: Migrants, police clash at Turkey-Greece border despite Erdogan-Putin ceasefire deal "On the orders of the president... permission will not be given for migrants to cross the Aegean sea because it is dangerous," Turkey's coastguard said, adding," The approach of not intervening against migrants wishing to leave Turkey remains in practice but this (new) approach covers sea crossings because of the dangers." Watch Video: Clashes between Greek police and migrants continued on Saturday. Greek police once again resorted to tear gas to push back the migrants as PM Mitsotakis accused Turkey of "assisting" the migrants gathered at the border. "EU countries, including Greece, must abide by their international responsibilities and accept the applications of refugees," the Turkish foreign ministry said in a statement. "Accusing a country that hosts the most number of refugees in the best possible way of using migration for political aims is another indication of the two-faced approach we have been subjected to for years. With this statement, the EU is itself using this issue as a political tool," it added. Meanwhile, Turkey's coastguard rescued around 120 migrants at sea even as Erdogan discussed the crisis with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Stop migrants crossing in Aegean Sea: Erdogan to Turkey coastguard

Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said on Thursday, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through.

Thousands of migrants have made for Greece since Ankara said on Feb. 28 that it would let migrants cross its borders into Europe, reneging on a commitment to hold them on its territory under a 2016 deal with the European Union.

Ankara has accused Greek forces of shooting dead four migrants. a charge rejected by Athens, which says Turkish forces are helping the migrants to cross the border. Both sides used tear gas at the Kastanies border post on Wednesday.

<img alt="Migrants, who are part of a group who arrived in the previous days after crossing part of the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece, wait for an identification process before being transported to the mainland on a Greek Navy vessel from the port of Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos, Greece" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e231cc37-f68a-46c7-a271-380474c64c79" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%2834%29.jpg" />

Turkey's interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, visited Edirne province bordering Greece on Thursday and announced the deployment of 1,000 special police to the area to halt the pushback of migrants towards its territory.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/eastern-mediterranean-region-a-microcosm-of-regional-and-global-battles-284505">Eastern Mediterranean region: A microcosm of regional and global battles</a>

Soylu, who said on Wednesday that Turkey was preparing a case at the European Court of Human Rights over Greece's treatment of migrants, accused Greek forces of wounding 164 people and pushing back nearly 5,000 into Turkey.

The situation at the Kastanies border crossing was calm on Thursday. Migrants - many of whom are from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Syria and other Arab nations - huddled in tents and makeshift camps on the Turkish side of the border.

<img alt="Two migrants who crossed the border from Turkey to Greece run through a field, near the town of Soufli, in the region of Evros, Greece" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61481ed0-c3b4-4b90-a58c-3d672e2d8df1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%2836%29_0.jpg" />

Greek border guards rebuffed nearly 7,000 attempts in the last 24 hours alone, taking the total since Feb. 29 to 34,778 and the number of arrests of those who got through to 244, the Greek government sources said.

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Migrants who arrived in Greece illegally after March 1 will be transferred to the northern city of Serres and deported back to their own countries, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late on Wednesday.

"Our aim is to return them to their countries," he told the Athens News Agency.

<img alt="Greek soldiers walk on the railway tracks as they patrol next the Greek-Turkish border near the village of Marasia, in the region of Evros, Greece" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f438018-6855-4b40-9366-7fbb155f62a2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%2837%29_0.jpg" />

CRITICISM

Mitarachi also said migrants who entered Greece prior to Jan. 1, 2019 and are living on its Aegean islands would be transferred to the mainland in the coming days.

Athens announced on March 1 that it would not accept any new asylum applications for a month following the build-up of migrants at the border. This has triggered criticism from human rights agencies.

The Aegean Sea remained choppy on Thursday and there were no further sightings of dinghies carrying migrants to Lesbos and other Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast.

Lesbos already hosts more than 20,000 asylum seekers, many of them living in filthy conditions in overcrowded camps.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-police-fire-tear-gas-at-migrants-on-turkish-border-284256">Greek police fire tear gas at migrants on Turkish border</a>

Greece and the EU accuse Turkey of deliberately goading the migrants to cross the border as a way of pressuring Brussels into offering more money or supporting Ankara's geopolitical aims in the Syrian conflict.

Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees and faces another influx from an upsurge in fighting in northwest Syria, says it cannot take in any more and complains that EU aid falls well short of what is needed for the refugees.

President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the migrant issue with senior EU officials in Ankara on Wednesday but his spokesman said the Europeans had made "no concrete proposition" on how to resolve the crisis.

Ankara's change in policy towards the migrants on its soil came after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government forces in an air strike in Syria.

Erdogan flew to Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin over a potential ceasefire in Syria's Idlib, where their militaries are facing off in a war that has displaced nearly a million people in three months.

Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said on Thursday, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through.

Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said on Thursday, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through. Thousands of migrants have made for Greece since Ankara said on Feb. 28 that it would let migrants cross its borders into Europe, reneging on a commitment to hold them on its territory under a 2016 deal with the European Union. Ankara has accused Greek forces of shooting dead four migrants. a charge rejected by Athens, which says Turkish forces are helping the migrants to cross the border. Both sides used tear gas at the Kastanies border post on Wednesday. Turkey's interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, visited Edirne province bordering Greece on Thursday and announced the deployment of 1,000 special police to the area to halt the pushback of migrants towards its territory. Also read: Eastern Mediterranean region: A microcosm of regional and global battles Soylu, who said on Wednesday that Turkey was preparing a case at the European Court of Human Rights over Greece's treatment of migrants, accused Greek forces of wounding 164 people and pushing back nearly 5,000 into Turkey. The situation at the Kastanies border crossing was calm on Thursday. Migrants - many of whom are from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Syria and other Arab nations - huddled in tents and makeshift camps on the Turkish side of the border. Greek border guards rebuffed nearly 7,000 attempts in the last 24 hours alone, taking the total since Feb. 29 to 34,778 and the number of arrests of those who got through to 244, the Greek government sources said. Watch: × Migrants who arrived in Greece illegally after March 1 will be transferred to the northern city of Serres and deported back to their own countries, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late on Wednesday. "Our aim is to return them to their countries," he told the Athens News Agency. CRITICISM Mitarachi also said migrants who entered Greece prior to Jan. 1, 2019 and are living on its Aegean islands would be transferred to the mainland in the coming days. Athens announced on March 1 that it would not accept any new asylum applications for a month following the build-up of migrants at the border. This has triggered criticism from human rights agencies. The Aegean Sea remained choppy on Thursday and there were no further sightings of dinghies carrying migrants to Lesbos and other Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast. Lesbos already hosts more than 20,000 asylum seekers, many of them living in filthy conditions in overcrowded camps. Also read: Greek police fire tear gas at migrants on Turkish border Greece and the EU accuse Turkey of deliberately goading the migrants to cross the border as a way of pressuring Brussels into offering more money or supporting Ankara's geopolitical aims in the Syrian conflict. Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees and faces another influx from an upsurge in fighting in northwest Syria, says it cannot take in any more and complains that EU aid falls well short of what is needed for the refugees. President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the migrant issue with senior EU officials in Ankara on Wednesday but his spokesman said the Europeans had made "no concrete proposition" on how to resolve the crisis. Ankara's change in policy towards the migrants on its soil came after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government forces in an air strike in Syria. Erdogan flew to Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin over a potential ceasefire in Syria's Idlib, where their militaries are facing off in a war that has displaced nearly a million people in three months.

Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1

True colours of ancient Greek and Roman statues

As the war rages on in Northern Syria, Europe is suffering from yet another refugee crisis. The situation at the greek border remains uncertain. Hundreds of Syrian refugees have been attempting to cross over after Turkey announced that it would allow passage into Europe. Greece has denied taking in the migrants and has warned of strong action if people try to cross over illegally.

Greek police fire tear gas at refugees, trying to strop them from entering illegally

Greece has blocked <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/migrants-head-to-greece-as-turkey-opens-floodgates-283547">nearly 10,000 migrants trying to enter from the Turkey border</a> over the past 24 hours, a Greek government source said Sunday.

A massive influx of migrants swelled along the border over the weekend after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to open its frontier to Europe.

He is seeking to pressure EU governments over the Syrian conflict after an airstrike in Syria's Idlib province on Thursday killed dozens of Turkish soldiers.

A Greek government source said Sunday its army and police had stopped thousands from entering its territory.&nbsp;Saturday morning to 0600 Sunday morning, 9,972 illegal entrances have been averted in the Evros area," the government source said, referring to the northeastern region along the Turkey border.

Huge crowds tried to cross into Greece via the Kastanies Forest in the early hours of Sunday, the source said.

Also Read:-<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hundreds-head-towards-europe-border-after-reports-claim-that-turkey-opens-gates-283266">Hundreds head towards Europe border after reports claim that Turkey 'opens gates</a>

Greek authorities said 73 migrants had been arrested, but added that they "weren't from Idlib, but from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia".

Some 13,000 migrants have gathered along the Turkish-Greek border, including families with young children, the International Organization for Migration said Saturday.

Greek security forces are patrolling the Evros river shores -- a common crossing point -- and have issued loudspeaker warnings not to enter Greek territory.

On Saturday clashes erupted along the border, where Greek police fired tear gas at migrants who in turn lobbed rocks at officers.

Erdogan threatened to open Turkey's gates for some of the 3.6 million refugees it is harbouring as a way to pressure EU countries over the conflict in Syria.

Turkey and Russia, who back opposing forces in the conflict, have held talks to defuse tensions after the air strike left 34 Turkish troops dead, sparking fears of a broader war and a new migration crisis for Europe.

The UN says nearly a million people -- half of them children -- have been displaced by the fighting in northwest Syria since December, forced to flee in the bitter cold.

In 2015, Greece became the main EU entry point for one million migrants, most of them refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war.

EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed "concern" on the unimpeded flow of migrants from Turkey to the bloc's external borders in Greece and Bulgaria.

"Our top priority at this stage is to ensure that Greece and Bulgaria have our full support," she tweeted Saturday.

Greece has blocked nearly 10,000 migrants trying to enter from the Turkey border over the past 24 hours, a Greek government source said Sunday. A massive influx of migrants swelled along the border over the weekend after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to open its frontier to Europe.

Greece has blocked nearly 10,000 migrants trying to enter from the Turkey border over the past 24 hours, a Greek government source said Sunday. A massive influx of migrants swelled along the border over the weekend after Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan threatened to open its frontier to Europe. He is seeking to pressure EU governments over the Syrian conflict after an airstrike in Syria's Idlib province on Thursday killed dozens of Turkish soldiers. A Greek government source said Sunday its army and police had stopped thousands from entering its territory. Saturday morning to 0600 Sunday morning, 9,972 illegal entrances have been averted in the Evros area," the government source said, referring to the northeastern region along the Turkey border. Huge crowds tried to cross into Greece via the Kastanies Forest in the early hours of Sunday, the source said. Also Read:-Hundreds head towards Europe border after reports claim that Turkey 'opens gates Greek authorities said 73 migrants had been arrested, but added that they "weren't from Idlib, but from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia". Some 13,000 migrants have gathered along the Turkish-Greek border, including families with young children, the International Organization for Migration said Saturday. Greek security forces are patrolling the Evros river shores -- a common crossing point -- and have issued loudspeaker warnings not to enter Greek territory. On Saturday clashes erupted along the border, where Greek police fired tear gas at migrants who in turn lobbed rocks at officers. Erdogan threatened to open Turkey's gates for some of the 3.6 million refugees it is harbouring as a way to pressure EU countries over the conflict in Syria. Turkey and Russia, who back opposing forces in the conflict, have held talks to defuse tensions after the air strike left 34 Turkish troops dead, sparking fears of a broader war and a new migration crisis for Europe. The UN says nearly a million people -- half of them children -- have been displaced by the fighting in northwest Syria since December, forced to flee in the bitter cold. In 2015, Greece became the main EU entry point for one million migrants, most of them refugees fleeing the Syrian civil war. EU Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen expressed "concern" on the unimpeded flow of migrants from Turkey to the bloc's external borders in Greece and Bulgaria. "Our top priority at this stage is to ensure that Greece and Bulgaria have our full support," she tweeted Saturday.

Greece blocks nearly 10,000 migrants at Turkey border

Migrants trickled through permeable borders to Greece from Turkey on Sunday as thousands gathered on the country's frontier seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement.

At first light, dozens of people in three dinghies made their way to the Aegean island of Lesbos, a Reuters witness said. Further north, groups waded across a river at Kastanies on the shared border.

There was tension at Kastanies on Saturday after riot police used teargas to repel hundreds of migrants on the Turkish side demanding access to Greece.

Turkey has said it will no longer restrain hundreds of thousands of migrants on its territory from reaching Europe, triggering an almost instant rush to the borders it shares with European Union member Greece.

"Yesterday there were 9,600 attempts to violate our borders, and all were dealt with successfully," deputy defence minister Alkiviadis Stefanis told Greece's Skai TV.

The International Organization for Migration put the number of people along the Greek-Turkish border at 13,000. By late Saturday, buses in Turkish cities were still being loaded with people bound for the border area, it said.

Greece has said there was an orchestrated attempt on its borders and has accused Turkey of actively guiding migrants.

"Not only are they not stopping them, but they are helping them," Stefanis told Skai.

Greece was a gateway for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers into Europe in 2015 and 2016. There are already more than 40,000 migrants on the Aegean islands, living in severely overcrowded camps and filthy conditions.

Last week, clashes broke out on Lesbos between riot police and locals to create closed detention centres to move the existing migrant population. Locals say the islands are suffering a disproportionate burden.

The European Union said it was supporting Greece.

Migrants trickled through permeable borders to Greece from Turkey on Sunday as thousands gathered on the country's frontier seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement.

Migrants trickled through permeable borders to Greece from Turkey on Sunday as thousands gathered on the country's frontier seeking entry after Ankara relaxed curbs on their movement. At first light, dozens of people in three dinghies made their way to the Aegean island of Lesbos, a Reuters witness said. Further north, groups waded across a river at Kastanies on the shared border. There was tension at Kastanies on Saturday after riot police used teargas to repel hundreds of migrants on the Turkish side demanding access to Greece. Turkey has said it will no longer restrain hundreds of thousands of migrants on its territory from reaching Europe, triggering an almost instant rush to the borders it shares with European Union member Greece. "Yesterday there were 9,600 attempts to violate our borders, and all were dealt with successfully," deputy defence minister Alkiviadis Stefanis told Greece's Skai TV. The International Organization for Migration put the number of people along the Greek-Turkish border at 13,000. By late Saturday, buses in Turkish cities were still being loaded with people bound for the border area, it said. Greece has said there was an orchestrated attempt on its borders and has accused Turkey of actively guiding migrants. "Not only are they not stopping them, but they are helping them," Stefanis told Skai. Greece was a gateway for hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers into Europe in 2015 and 2016. There are already more than 40,000 migrants on the Aegean islands, living in severely overcrowded camps and filthy conditions. Last week, clashes broke out on Lesbos between riot police and locals to create closed detention centres to move the existing migrant population. Locals say the islands are suffering a disproportionate burden. The European Union said it was supporting Greece.

Migrants head to Greece as Turkey opens floodgates

Thousands protested in Greece on Tuesday against a new pension reform as a 24-hour strike paralysed transport and services.

Some 10,000 people demonstrated in the capital against the reform, which encourages a longer stay in the workforce, police said.

The labour action brought public transport in Athens as well as intercity trains and ferry ship services to a standstill.

Civil servants also walked off the job and journalists will stage a three-hour work stoppage against the pension reform.

"Everything is going downhill," Thanassis Grigoropoulos, a municipal sanitation worker, told AFP.

"The pensions will be at a lower level and we won’t be able to meet our obligations. That is the most important thing," he said.&nbsp;

Unions also staged protests in other major cities including Thessaloniki, where 2,500 people demonstrated according to police.

"This bill is practically the continuation of (austerity) laws introduced in 2010-2019," civil servants' union ADEDY said.

The new conservative government says the reform, to be voted by Friday, will make the troubled Greek pension system viable to 2070.

The labour ministry says the overhaul -- the third major revamp in a decade -- will contain pension increases and reduce penalties for pensioners who opt to continue working after reaching retirement age.

Successive governments have attempted to reform the pension system, whose previously generous handouts are seen as one of the causes of Greece's decade-long debt crisis.

"The government will pay dearly for the further dismantling of social insurance, as (its predecessors) did. The Greek people do not forget," said Communist Party general secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas.

A separate government bill to stiffen regulations on street protests is also causing anger among unions.

Chronic overspending and inaccurate reporting of the budget deficit spooked creditors in 2010, and three successive bailouts by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund were needed to avert a Greek bankruptcy.

In return for billions of euros in rescue funds, Greece had to adopt unpopular austerity reforms and pension cuts.

Thousands protested in Greece on Tuesday against a new pension reform as a 24-hour strike paralysed transport and services. Some 10,000 people demonstrated in the capital against the reform, which encourages a longer stay in the workforce, police said.

Thousands protested in Greece on Tuesday against a new pension reform as a 24-hour strike paralysed transport and services. Some 10,000 people demonstrated in the capital against the reform, which encourages a longer stay in the workforce, police said. The labour action brought public transport in Athens as well as intercity trains and ferry ship services to a standstill. Civil servants also walked off the job and journalists will stage a three-hour work stoppage against the pension reform. "Everything is going downhill," Thanassis Grigoropoulos, a municipal sanitation worker, told AFP. "The pensions will be at a lower level and we won’t be able to meet our obligations. That is the most important thing," he said. Unions also staged protests in other major cities including Thessaloniki, where 2,500 people demonstrated according to police. "This bill is practically the continuation of (austerity) laws introduced in 2010-2019," civil servants' union ADEDY said. The new conservative government says the reform, to be voted by Friday, will make the troubled Greek pension system viable to 2070. The labour ministry says the overhaul -- the third major revamp in a decade -- will contain pension increases and reduce penalties for pensioners who opt to continue working after reaching retirement age. Successive governments have attempted to reform the pension system, whose previously generous handouts are seen as one of the causes of Greece's decade-long debt crisis. "The government will pay dearly for the further dismantling of social insurance, as (its predecessors) did. The Greek people do not forget," said Communist Party general secretary Dimitris Koutsoumbas. A separate government bill to stiffen regulations on street protests is also causing anger among unions. Chronic overspending and inaccurate reporting of the budget deficit spooked creditors in 2010, and three successive bailouts by the European Union and the International Monetary Fund were needed to avert a Greek bankruptcy. In return for billions of euros in rescue funds, Greece had to adopt unpopular austerity reforms and pension cuts.

Thousands protest in Greece against pension overhaul

Thousands of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-some-eu-countries-are-struggling-to-relocate-migrants-265965">migrants facing the perilous journey</a> from Turkey to the Aegean islands on Europe’s periphery are now supposed to face another obstacle as the Greek government announced that it will build a floating barrier to deter them. The centre-right administration revealed the project to deny entry to undocumented migrants accessing the country.

Erected off the island of Lesbos, the bulwark of the 2.7km-long netted barrier will rise from pylons 50 metres above the water and will be equipped with flashing lights to demarcate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/three-die-as-storm-front-batters-greece-264668">Greece’s sea borders</a>. “In Evros, natural barriers had relative [good] results in containing flows,” stated Greece’s Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, referring to the barbed-wire topped fence that Greece built along its northern land border with Turkey in 2012 to deter asylum seekers.

The plan was ridiculed the world over, and Amnesty International warned that it would enhance the dangers asylum-seekers and refugees encountered as they attempted to seek safety. “The plan raises serious issues about rescuers’ ability to continue providing life-saving assistance to people attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Lesbos. The government must urgently clarify the operational details and necessary safeguards to ensure that this <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/struggling-with-influx-greece-to-shut-down-three-refugee-camps-263414">system does not cost further lives</a>,” said Massimo Moratti, Research Director for Europe, Amnesty International.

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/twelve-dead-21-rescued-as-migrant-boat-sinks-off-greek-island-273697">Twelve dead, 21 rescued as migrant boat sinks off Greek island</a>

Calling this a "stupid idea" and adding that it was bound to be ineffective was Greece’s former migration minister, Dimitris Vitsas. “It’s not going to stop anybody making the journey,” he added. Human traffickers along Turkey’s western coast target Greece's outlying Aegean isles with renewed vigour, leading to a huge uptick in arrivals of refugees and migrants than any other part of Europe. Outposts designed to hold a maximum of 5,400 people are housing more than 44,000.

Greece fears a further surge in arrivals in the spring amid mounting tensions with Turkey over energy resources in the Mediterranean, despite numbers dropping radically since the EU struck a landmark accord with Ankara to curb the flows in March 2016.&nbsp;Blame for this humanitarian catastrophe has been thrown at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister for exploiting the refugee drama as political leverage in dealings with Athens and the EU.

As Idlib, Syria's last opposition holdout falls, Greek officials fear that the number of arrivals will rise further. Recent attacks from regime forces are gradually becoming more and more frequent. It is hoped that the barrier is functional by April, with the Greek Defence Ministry asking private contractors to submit offers.

Officials have guaranteed that the project will be completed by the military and will cost approximately €500,000 and has reassured the masses that it will be done by “non-military specifications” to ensure international maritime standards. More parts will be added to the 15-kilometre fence if the initial pilot is deemed successful.

Thousands of migrants facing the perilous journey from Turkey to the Aegean islands on Europe’s periphery are now supposed to face another obstacle as the Greek government announced that it will build a floating barrier to deter them.

Thousands of migrants facing the perilous journey from Turkey to the Aegean islands on Europe’s periphery are now supposed to face another obstacle as the Greek government announced that it will build a floating barrier to deter them. The centre-right administration revealed the project to deny entry to undocumented migrants accessing the country. Erected off the island of Lesbos, the bulwark of the 2.7km-long netted barrier will rise from pylons 50 metres above the water and will be equipped with flashing lights to demarcate Greece’s sea borders. “In Evros, natural barriers had relative [good] results in containing flows,” stated Greece’s Defence Minister, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, referring to the barbed-wire topped fence that Greece built along its northern land border with Turkey in 2012 to deter asylum seekers. The plan was ridiculed the world over, and Amnesty International warned that it would enhance the dangers asylum-seekers and refugees encountered as they attempted to seek safety. “The plan raises serious issues about rescuers’ ability to continue providing life-saving assistance to people attempting the dangerous sea crossing to Lesbos. The government must urgently clarify the operational details and necessary safeguards to ensure that this system does not cost further lives,” said Massimo Moratti, Research Director for Europe, Amnesty International. Also Read: Twelve dead, 21 rescued as migrant boat sinks off Greek island Calling this a "stupid idea" and adding that it was bound to be ineffective was Greece’s former migration minister, Dimitris Vitsas. “It’s not going to stop anybody making the journey,” he added. Human traffickers along Turkey’s western coast target Greece's outlying Aegean isles with renewed vigour, leading to a huge uptick in arrivals of refugees and migrants than any other part of Europe. Outposts designed to hold a maximum of 5,400 people are housing more than 44,000. Greece fears a further surge in arrivals in the spring amid mounting tensions with Turkey over energy resources in the Mediterranean, despite numbers dropping radically since the EU struck a landmark accord with Ankara to curb the flows in March 2016. Blame for this humanitarian catastrophe has been thrown at Recep Tayyip Erdoğan by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Greek Prime Minister for exploiting the refugee drama as political leverage in dealings with Athens and the EU. As Idlib, Syria's last opposition holdout falls, Greek officials fear that the number of arrivals will rise further. Recent attacks from regime forces are gradually becoming more and more frequent. It is hoped that the barrier is functional by April, with the Greek Defence Ministry asking private contractors to submit offers. Officials have guaranteed that the project will be completed by the military and will cost approximately €500,000 and has reassured the masses that it will be done by “non-military specifications” to ensure international maritime standards. More parts will be added to the 15-kilometre fence if the initial pilot is deemed successful.

Greek Defence Ministry plans to build sea barrier off Lesbos to deter migrants

January 13 in history: Flag of Greece is officially adopted by the First National Assembly and more

At least&nbsp;twelve&nbsp;people drowned when their&nbsp;boat&nbsp;sank&nbsp;off&nbsp;an&nbsp;island&nbsp;in western <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-has-right-to-self-defence-says-israels-benjamin-netanyahu-after-soleimanis-killing-271977">Greece</a> on Saturday,&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;authorities said, marking the&nbsp;deadliest toll in months in Greece's&nbsp;migrant&nbsp;crisis.

Twenty-one people were&nbsp;rescued, the coastguard said.

Helicopters and ships were searching the area south-west of the&nbsp;island&nbsp;of Paxos for more survivors. Authorities said they had accounts of up to 50 people being on the vessel.

The&nbsp;Greek&nbsp;authorities said they had scrambled to the area after receiving a distress signal from the&nbsp;boat&nbsp;which was taking in water. No further details were immediately available.

Greek&nbsp;authorities regularly detect&nbsp;boatloads of&nbsp;migrants heading to Greece from Turkey to its east. Sea disasters&nbsp;off&nbsp;its western coast, facing Italy, are less common.

Greece was at the frontline of Europe's&nbsp;migrant&nbsp;crisis in 2015 and 2016, when more than a million people reached the country, fleeing war in the Middle East and beyond. Its camps and reception centres on outlying&nbsp;islands facing Turkey are severely overcrowded.

Almost 74,500&nbsp;migrants and refugees made their way to Greece in 2019, most of them by sea, according to the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/anti-caa-protests-heres-why-the-police-force-is-being-targetted-and-demonised-271596">UNHCR</a>, the UN refugee agency.

At least twelve people drowned when their boat sank off an island in western Greece on Saturday, Greek authorities said, marking the deadliest toll in months in Greece's migrant crisis.

At least twelve people drowned when their boat sank off an island in western Greece on Saturday, Greek authorities said, marking the deadliest toll in months in Greece's migrant crisis. Twenty-one people were rescued, the coastguard said. Helicopters and ships were searching the area south-west of the island of Paxos for more survivors. Authorities said they had accounts of up to 50 people being on the vessel. The Greek authorities said they had scrambled to the area after receiving a distress signal from the boat which was taking in water. No further details were immediately available. Greek authorities regularly detect boatloads of migrants heading to Greece from Turkey to its east. Sea disasters off its western coast, facing Italy, are less common. Greece was at the frontline of Europe's migrant crisis in 2015 and 2016, when more than a million people reached the country, fleeing war in the Middle East and beyond. Its camps and reception centres on outlying islands facing Turkey are severely overcrowded. Almost 74,500 migrants and refugees made their way to Greece in 2019, most of them by sea, according to the UNHCR, the UN refugee agency.

Twelve dead, 21 rescued as migrant boat sinks off Greek island

In an apparent slip of the tongue on Sunday, Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/soleimani-contributed-to-plotting-terror-attacks-in-new-delhi-london-trump-272027">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile.

Israel is widely believed to have an atomic arsenal but has never confirmed or denied that it has nuclear weapons, maintaining a so-called policy of ambiguity on the issue for decades.

Netanyahu stumbled at the weekly cabinet meeting while reading in Hebrew prepared remarks on a deal with Greece and Cyprus on a subsea gas pipeline.

"The significance of this project is that we are turning Israel into nuclear power," he said, before quickly correcting himself to say "energy power".

He then paused for a beat, acknowledging his mistake with a smile, and then ploughed on with his comments.

The rare blooper from one of Israel's most polished politicians swiftly proliferated on social media.

Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival in a March 2 vote after two inconclusive elections in April and September. In November, he was indicted on corruption charges, which he denies.

In an apparent slip of the tongue on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile.

In an apparent slip of the tongue on Sunday, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Israel as a nuclear power before correcting himself with a bashful nod and an embarrassed smile. Israel is widely believed to have an atomic arsenal but has never confirmed or denied that it has nuclear weapons, maintaining a so-called policy of ambiguity on the issue for decades. Netanyahu stumbled at the weekly cabinet meeting while reading in Hebrew prepared remarks on a deal with Greece and Cyprus on a subsea gas pipeline. "The significance of this project is that we are turning Israel into nuclear power," he said, before quickly correcting himself to say "energy power". He then paused for a beat, acknowledging his mistake with a smile, and then ploughed on with his comments. The rare blooper from one of Israel's most polished politicians swiftly proliferated on social media. Netanyahu is fighting for his political survival in a March 2 vote after two inconclusive elections in April and September. In November, he was indicted on corruption charges, which he denies.

Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu in apparent stumble, calls Israel a 'nuclear power'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-some-eu-countries-are-struggling-to-relocate-migrants-265965">Greece</a>, <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/cyprus-buys-israel-drones-to-monitor-waters-amid-turkey-tensions-254344">Cyprus</a> and <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-seeks-immunity-from-graft-charges-271505">Israel</a> on Thursday signed an agreement for a huge <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-russia-finalise-gas-deal-one-day-before-deadline-271258">pipeline</a> project to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe despite Turkey's hostility to the deal.

The move comes amid tensions with Turkey over its activities in the area and a maritime deal with Libya expanding Ankara's claims over a large gas-rich area of the sea.

The 2,000-kilometre (1,200-mile)&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;pipeline will be able to carry between nine and 12 billion cubic metres of gas a year from offshore reserves held by Israel and Cyprus to Greece, and then on to Italy and other southeastern European countries.

The discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a scramble for the energy riches and a row between <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-turkey-raises-pitch-india-reaffirms-support-for-cyprus-territorial-integrity-252329">Cyprus</a> and Turkey, which occupies the northern part of the Mediterranean island.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-pm-netanyahu-wins-likud-party-leadership-race-270464">Benjamin Netanyahu</a> and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades joined the ceremony at which their respective energy ministers signed the deal in the Greek capital.

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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Today, 🇮🇱🇬🇷🇨🇾 leaders <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraeliPM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@IsraeliPM</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/PrimeministerGR?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@PrimeministerGR</a> &amp; <a href="https://twitter.com/AnastasiadesCY?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@AnastasiadesCY</a> signed the East-Med Pipeline agreement. 
 
PM Netanyahu: This is a true alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding to the security &amp; stability of the region. 
 
📎 <a href="https://t.co/h53Zeji3OV">https://t.co/h53Zeji3OV</a><a href="https://t.co/w56KOCQLYn">pic.twitter.com/w56KOCQLYn</a>
— Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) <a href="https://twitter.com/IsraelMFA/status/1212820952167469058?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 2, 2020</a></blockquote>
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The&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;project is expected to make the three countries key links in Europe's energy supply chain.

It could also help counter <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/250000-migrants-fleeing-from-syrias-idlib-towards-turkey-tayyip-erdogan-271660">Turkey</a>'s effort to extend its control to the eastern Mediterranean.&nbsp;

Turkey already faces European Union sanctions over ships searching for oil and gas off Cyprus, whose government in Nicosia is not recognised by Ankara.

&nbsp;

Boundary row

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in November he envisaged joint energy exploration activities with Libya in the eastern Mediterranean.

His government insists the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus -&nbsp;recognised only by Ankara - has the right to explore around the entire island.

Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill

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Vice President Fuat Oktay said Turkey's pact with Libya had allowed Ankara to foil a plot to confine the country to land.

"No matter who is involved, no plan in the region which excludes Turkey has any chance of success," Oktay told the Anadolu state news agency.

Greece responded angrily to the Turkey-Libya deal, expelling the Libyan ambassador and urging the UN to condemn it.&nbsp;

Part of the agreement sets a maritime boundary between the two countries, which Greece says fails to take into account the Greek island of Crete.

&nbsp;

Peace and cooperation

The&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;alliance "is of enormous importance to the state of Israel's energy future and its development into an energy power and also from the point of view of stability in the region," Netanyahu said in a statement issued as he left Israel for Greece Thursday.

Mitsotakis said the pipeline was of "geostrategic importance" and would contribute to regional peace.

Earlier, Greek Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis called it "a project of peace and cooperation" despite "Turkish threats".

Anastasiades said his aim was "cooperation and not rivalry in the Middle East".

Avinoam Idan, a former Israeli government security official who is now a geostrategy expert at Haifa University, said of the deal: "It's important for Israel, it's important for the transit countries, Greece and Cyprus, and of course Europe".

As the new source of energy would not compete with <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-slams-us-sanctions-on-european-gas-project-269464">Russian supplies</a> to the EU, "there is no reason to see it as a big change in the geopolitical dynamic in Europe's energy market", he told sources.

The Greek economic daily Kathimerini said Wednesday that Athens and Nicosia had been in a hurry to finalise&nbsp;EastMed&nbsp;so as "to counter any attempt by the Turkish neighbour to stop the project".

The cost of the installation from the eastern Mediterranean to Italy is estimated at $6.7 billion.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday signed an agreement for a huge pipeline project to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe despite Turkey's hostility to the deal.

Greece, Cyprus and Israel on Thursday signed an agreement for a huge pipeline project to ship gas from the eastern Mediterranean to Europe despite Turkey's hostility to the deal. The move comes amid tensions with Turkey over its activities in the area and a maritime deal with Libya expanding Ankara's claims over a large gas-rich area of the sea. The 2,000-kilometre (1,200-mile) EastMed pipeline will be able to carry between nine and 12 billion cubic metres of gas a year from offshore reserves held by Israel and Cyprus to Greece, and then on to Italy and other southeastern European countries. The discovery of hydrocarbon reserves in the eastern Mediterranean has sparked a scramble for the energy riches and a row between Cyprus and Turkey, which occupies the northern part of the Mediterranean island. Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Cypriot President Nicos Anastasiades joined the ceremony at which their respective energy ministers signed the deal in the Greek capital. Today, 🇮🇱🇬🇷🇨🇾 leaders @IsraeliPM @PrimeministerGR & @AnastasiadesCY signed the East-Med Pipeline agreement. PM Netanyahu: This is a true alliance in the Eastern Mediterranean, adding to the security & stability of the region. 📎 https://t.co/h53Zeji3OVpic.twitter.com/w56KOCQLYn — Israel Foreign Ministry (@IsraelMFA) January 2, 2020 × The EastMed project is expected to make the three countries key links in Europe's energy supply chain. It could also help counter Turkey's effort to extend its control to the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey already faces European Union sanctions over ships searching for oil and gas off Cyprus, whose government in Nicosia is not recognised by Ankara. Boundary row Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in November he envisaged joint energy exploration activities with Libya in the eastern Mediterranean. His government insists the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus - recognised only by Ankara - has the right to explore around the entire island. Watch: Turkish parliament passes Libya deployment bill × Vice President Fuat Oktay said Turkey's pact with Libya had allowed Ankara to foil a plot to confine the country to land. "No matter who is involved, no plan in the region which excludes Turkey has any chance of success," Oktay told the Anadolu state news agency. Greece responded angrily to the Turkey-Libya deal, expelling the Libyan ambassador and urging the UN to condemn it. Part of the agreement sets a maritime boundary between the two countries, which Greece says fails to take into account the Greek island of Crete. Peace and cooperation The EastMed alliance "is of enormous importance to the state of Israel's energy future and its development into an energy power and also from the point of view of stability in the region," Netanyahu said in a statement issued as he left Israel for Greece Thursday. Mitsotakis said the pipeline was of "geostrategic importance" and would contribute to regional peace. Earlier, Greek Energy Minister Kostis Hatzidakis called it "a project of peace and cooperation" despite "Turkish threats". Anastasiades said his aim was "cooperation and not rivalry in the Middle East". Avinoam Idan, a former Israeli government security official who is now a geostrategy expert at Haifa University, said of the deal: "It's important for Israel, it's important for the transit countries, Greece and Cyprus, and of course Europe". As the new source of energy would not compete with Russian supplies to the EU, "there is no reason to see it as a big change in the geopolitical dynamic in Europe's energy market", he told sources. The Greek economic daily Kathimerini said Wednesday that Athens and Nicosia had been in a hurry to finalise EastMed so as "to counter any attempt by the Turkish neighbour to stop the project". The cost of the installation from the eastern Mediterranean to Italy is estimated at $6.7 billion.

Greece, Cyprus, Israel sign EastMed pipeline deal

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