WRITTEN QUESTION E-1438/01

by Antonios Trakatellis (PPE-DE) and Giorgos Dimitrakopoulos (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(17 May 2001)

Subject: Migratory flows to Greece and protecting the external borders

Given that Greece faces particular problems in protecting its borders which are also the external borders of the Union, mainly owing to its special geographical features, and given also that the EU has adopted a series of measures and policies on asylum, illegal immigration and the crossing of its external borders,

will the Commission say:

1. What implementing measures and actions has Greece taken within the EU framework to protect its borders, to manage migratory flows effectively and to prevent illegal immigration?

2. What amount of appropriations has Greece taken up from EU budget funds in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 to cover the cost of protecting borders, transferring technology and actions to prevent illegal immigration and repatriation (expulsion)?

3. What amount of appropriations have been made available to Greece in the field of justice and internal affairs to integrate refugees and for asylum and refugee policy on the basis of the European Refugee Fund(1) and other EU programmes, such as Odysseus(2), and what actions are covered by these appropriations?

4. What official information is available concerning refugee, asylum, immigration and illegal immigration and naturalisation figures in Greece?

(1) OJ L 252, 6.10.2000, p. 12.

(2) OJ L 99, 31.3.1998, p. 2.

Answer given by Mr Vitorino on behalf of the Commission

(6 July 2001)

1. In December 1999, following visits to inspect controls at land and sea borders, the Council decided that the Schengen acquis was to be fully implemented in Greece with effect from 1 January 2000 and planned a further observation visit during 2000.

The experts who carried out the visit found that the control procedures were generally adapted to Schengen requirements, pointing out that improvements had been made in terms of the number of staff and facilities. They recommended that that the Greek authorities harmonise training programmes and continue to take measures to question and remove illegal aliens.

2. In the years 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 Greece has taken up the following appropriations:

- Budget line B3-4113 (integration) total of 2 757 395, budget line B5-803 (reception) total of 2 957 799 and budget line B7-6008 (voluntary repatriation) total of 1 660 663.

- The relevant amounts were spent on projects for the integration, reception and voluntary repatriation of refugees and asylum seekers. A total of 26 projects were implemented comprising, in the case of integration, activities such as accommodation, counselling, training, career guidance, advocacy and in the case of reception improvements to or creation of reception centres, the provision of legal, counselling and social/psychological support services. Projects under the budget line for repatriation included activities such as vocational training, legal advice and counselling, assistance with return, creation of small businesses and job placement.

- Under the Odysseus programme 275 000 was granted in 1998, 248 399 in 1999 and 106 770 in 2000.

- A total of seven projects were implemented covering actions such as training seminars on the control and surveillance of external borders and on combating illegal immigration, or action for the defence of human rights of refugee/asylum seekers.

3. In the context of the European Refugee Fund (ERF) Greece's 2000 and 2001 programmes were approved in March 2001. The relevant ERF contribution amounts to 652 057,17 and 629 043,03 respectively and aims at supporting Greece's efforts relating mainly to conditions for reception and the integration of persons whose stay in Greece is of a lasting and/or stable nature. Projects are under the selection process under the management of the Ministry for Health and Welfare at present.

4. According to Community statistics in 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2000 respectively 4 376, 2 953, 1 528 and 3 083 persons applied for asylum in Greece. In the same period, the Greek authorities accorded Geneva Convention status to a total of 654 persons.

Greece reported a total of 22 078 immigrants in 1997 and 12 630 in 1998.

A total of 930 persons acquired Greek citizenship in 1997, with 807 acquisitions being reported for 1998.

Data on immigration and acquisition of citizenship are not currently available for 1999 and 2000.

The Greek authorities consider all data provided to the Commission which could give indications about the scale of illegal immigration, such as figures on apprehended aliens illegally present at the Greek borders, as confidential