EU-Turkey deal on turning back migrants appears in limbo
Posted March 20, 2016 7:00 am
ATHENS, Greece (AP) - Sunday was the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration went into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain.
Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday.
Greece is expecting 2,300 European experts, including migration officers and translators, to help implement the deal, but none have arrived yet.
Instead, 875 new refugees landed on four of Greece's Aegean islands close to the Turkish coast. In one of the boats arriving on the island of Lesbos, two Syrian men were found dead of yet unknown causes.
The EU-Turkey plan aims to halt smuggling by sending migrants who come to Greece and do not qualify for asylum back to Turkey in exchange for European nations taking refugees directly from Turkey.
Turkey is also required to step up efforts to crack down on illegal migration. The deal puts Ankara on the fast track to get $6.6 billion in aid to deal with refugees on its territory, unprecedented visa concessions for Turks to visit Europe and a re-energizing of its EU membership bid.
Turkey, which is already hosting 2.7 million Syrian refugees, has been a primary departure point for Europe, while Greece has borne the brunt of arrivals. More than 1 million migrants arrived in Europe over the past year.
A Turkish news agency reported Sunday that 320 would-be migrants to Greece had been intercepted in a coastal town. The private Dogan agency said the migrants were caught in the town of Dikili, a main crossing point to the Greek island of Lesbos.
Amid all this, Greece is still relocating migrants from its islands to temporary refugee camps on the mainland. A ferry carrying 1,169 migrants arrived Sunday at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens. Another ferry carrying some 1,300 migrants was on its way to Elefsina from Lesbos.
The arriving refugees were taken to buses heading to temporary camps in northern Greece.
On the Greek border town of Idomeni, where about 10,000 migrants that were refused entry into Macedonia are stranded, the mayor criticized plans to make the sprawling, muddy, makeshift encampment permanent.
"(The government) asked us to bring sleeping cars through Hellenic Railways, approximately seven or eight cars to accommodate refugees. That's not the solution. I think the (camp) should be evacuated," said Christos Goudenoudis, mayor of Peonia.
"The locals are starting to fear what the migrants will do when they run out of money," Goudenoudis told The Associated Press.
Refugees started piling up in Greece after Austria and countries further north started closing their borders to them.
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Soguel reported from Istanbul. Petros Giannakouris in Lesbos, Costas Kantouris in Idomeni, Greece, and Raphael Kominis in Elefsina, Greece, contributed
A migrant girl casts a shadow on a plastic sheet on her way for the daily food handout at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
A banner is placed on Syrian migrants who slept on the railway tracks protesting the border closure and preventing freight trains from passing between Greece and Macedonia at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
A Greek police officer counts the migrants and refugees that get in a bus after they arrived in the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Sunday. March 20, 2016. Two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A migrant rests in the makeshift refugee camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Some 2,500 migrants currently on Lesbos and other islands are being taken to mainland Greece where they are placed in shelters before EU-wide relocation. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
A migrant woman carrying a baby passes by Greek police officers in the makeshift refugee camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Some 2,500 migrants currently on Lesbos and other islands are being taken to mainland Greece where they are placed in shelters before EU-wide relocation. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
Migrants protest on train tracks near the makeshift refugee camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Some 2,500 migrants currently on Lesbos and other islands are being taken to mainland Greece where they are placed in shelters before EU-wide relocation. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
Migrants protest on train tracks near the makeshift refugee camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Some 2,500 migrants currently on Lesbos and other islands are being taken to mainland Greece where they are placed in shelters before EU-wide relocation. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
A migrant child plays in the makeshift refugee camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Some 2,500 migrants currently on Lesbos and other islands are being taken to mainland Greece where they are placed in shelters before EU-wide relocation. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
A migrant plays with a baby in the makeshift refugee camp at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Some 2,500 migrants currently on Lesbos and other islands are being taken to mainland Greece where they are placed in shelters before EU-wide relocation. (AP Photo/Darko Vojinovic)
The Associated Press
The sun rises as migrants and refugees on a dingy arrive at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on Sunday, March 20, 2016. In another incident two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
The sun rises as migrants and refugees on a dingy arrive at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on Sunday, March 20, 2016. In another incident two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
An overcrowded boat with dozens of migrants and refugees from nearby Turkey arrives at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two Syrian refugees have been found dead on that boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A boy covered with blankets looks on after overcrowded boat was carrying dozens of migrants and refugees from nearby Turkey arrived at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two Syrian refugees have been found dead on that boat that on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A dingy is seen at the shores of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two Syrian refugees have been found dead on that boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A child cries as she and her family arrived in the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. In another incident two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Migrants and refugees react on a dingy as they arrive at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Volunteers help migrants and refugees on a dingy as they arrive at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on Sunday. March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Women react as migrants and refugees arrive on a dingy at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on Sunday. March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Volunteers help migrants and refugees on a dingy as they arrive at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
An overcrowded boat with dozens of migrants and refugees from nearby Turkey arrives at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Sunday. March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A volunteer hugs a woman who cries for her unconscious husband after an overcrowded boat was carrying dozens of migrants and refugees from nearby Turkey arrived at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat that on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals.(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A woman reacts as volunteers try to revive her husband after an overcrowded boat was carrying dozens of migrants and refugees from nearby Turkey arrived at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat that on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A woman touches the face of her unconscious husband after an overcrowded boat was carrying dozens of migrants and refugees from nearby Turkey arrived at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat that on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A Syrian mother holds her baby who is covered with blankets after arriving with her family in the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, in an overcrowded boat with dozens of migrants and refugees on Sunday. March 20, 2016. In another incident two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A girl is covered with blankets after arriving with her family in the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, in an overcrowded boat with dozens of migrants and refugees on Sunday. March 20, 2016. In another incident two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A woman with a child disembarks from a dingy at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey, on Sunday. March 20, 2016. In another incident two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
The sun rises as migrants and refugees on a dingy arrive at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, after crossing the Aegean sea from Turkey on Sunday, March 20, 2016. In another incident two Syrian refugees have been found dead on a boat on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
A woman reacts as volunteer try to revive her husband after an overcrowded boat was carrying dozens of migrants and refugees from nearby Turkey arrived at the shore of the northeastern Greek island of Lesbos, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Two migrants have been found dead on that boat that on the first day of the implementation of an agreement between the EU and Turkey on handling the new arrivals. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Migrants and refugees get on buses after their arrival on a ferry at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A Greek coast guard officer directs migrants and refugees after their arrival with a ferry at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A banner is placed on a Syrian migrant sleeping on the railway tracks protesting the border closure and preventing freight trains from passing between Greece and Macedonia, as people wait for a daily ration of food, at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
Migrants and refugees disembark from a ferry after their arrival at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A woman lifts a baby in front of a convoy of buses at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
Migrants and refugees make their way to get on buses after their arrival at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A woman carrying a baby disembarks from a ferry after her arrival along with other migrants and refugees at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
A Greek coast guard officer directs migrants and refugees after their arrival on a ferry at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, on Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. Greek authorities say they're not sure any migrants entering Greece will be processed and turned back before Monday. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
Greek police and coast guard officers wait for a ferry carrying migrants and refugees to dock at the port of Elefsina, west of Athens, Sunday, March 20, 2016. Sunday is the day an agreement between the European Union and Turkey on ending illegal migration goes into effect - but its implementation still remains uncertain. (AP Photo/ Yorgos Karahalis)
The Associated Press
Migrant children look at Greek policemen standing on the railway tracks while waiting in line for a daily ration of food at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
A woman holds a child next to a fire at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
A man reads from a religious book in a make shift mosque set up in a tent on the railway tracks at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
A man reads from a religious book in a make shift mosque set up in a tent on the railway tracks at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
A man gets a haircut from a fellow migrant at the northern Greek border point of Idomeni, Greece, Sunday, March 20, 2016. German Chancellor Angela Merkel is urging migrants in the squalid tent city at Idomeni, on the Greek-Macedonian border, to trust Greek authorities and leave for better accommodation as thousands are still staying on site after the closure of Macedonia's border. (AP Photo/Vadim Ghirda)
The Associated Press
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