Athens, German protest note: Greeks are being left out “Schengen”

Official Athens has reacted sharply, with a note of protest, first towards Berlin, and then addressed the European Commission with a letter in which it asks it to deploy to this act.

The restoration of special control for Greek passengers at German airports, from November 12th to 6 months, viewing them as coming from a third country outside the EU, such as Turkey or Egypt, in addition to bringing a huge wave of discontent to travellers, has triggered protests.

But Berlin seems not to lag behind in this respect, as in addition to reinforceing security measures on the occasion of the holiday season, on the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the German capital last year, it has been registered since January 2017 with 1,000 irregular arrivals from Greece to Germany.

According to the German Interior Ministry, immigrants have provided fake passports or ID cards with Greek citizenship. The number of these persons is the highest registered in flights from other EU member states to Germany.

The German side also insists that it has notified Brussels of these measures, including not only passengers coming from Greece but also those entering the Austrian border.

Greek authorities have announced that, from the moment this security measure went into effect, 20 people from a total of 33 thousand passengers have travelled to Germany.

In addition to the official Athens protest note, Greek conservatives have expressed their dissatisfaction with German authorities, viewing the move as insulting to Greek citizens, who are simultaneously Europeans, as one of the EU's greatest achievements, such as free movement within the “area, according to them. Schengen”

With interest, the results of a trilateral meeting Wednesday evening are expected, among German and Greek experts, as well as those of the European Commission in Brussels, to resolve this problem.