Due to its geographical position, Greece is called upon to function as a front-line state that receives, screens and determines protection, but also ‘guards’ the external borders of the EU. Greece’s migration policy has been consistently focused on managing its sea and land borders, and on improving the national asylum system. The country is developing a parallel policy of deterrence and legal migration, with the former prioritised over the latter. Key challenges remain as regards reception and integration of asylum seekers and recognised refugees, despite Greece receiving significant funds from the European Union in the area of integration and reception.
Author: Angeliki Dimitriadi, Head, Migration Programme and Senior Research Fellow – ELIAMEP
This article is available on the Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy website.
