Greece says Syrian property law will impede refugees' return
Posted May 04, 2018 7:00 am
THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - Greece's foreign minister has voiced concerns about at a new Syrian real estate law that would force refugees to return home if they want to keep their property in Syria.
Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias says the law does not secure the properties of millions of Syrians who are now displaced outside the country. He says it will make their eventual return to Syria much more difficult.
The decree, made public last month, gives property owners in some parts of Syria one month to provide ownership deeds or face confiscation of their property.
Thousands of Syrian refugees have sought asylum in Greece.
Kotzias spoke during a southern Balkans ministerial meeting Friday in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.
Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
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Protesters hold a placard which reads in Greek "SOS Moria. Solution now" referring to the Moria refugee camp, during a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Protesters rock a riot police bus in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Islanders take part in a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
Islanders take part in a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
The Associated Press
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