Latest news with #YunusSezer
Express Tribune
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Turkey to extend border security measures with new wall along Greece frontier
Listen to article Turkiye is set to build its first wall on the western border with Greece, as the country seeks to strengthen its efforts to prevent migrants from crossing into European Union member states. The wall, spanning 8.5 kilometres (5.2 miles), will be constructed along the Evros river, which forms the natural border between Turkiye and Greece. Yunus Sezer, the governor of Edirne in northwestern Turkiye, announced the plans, stating that the country would take physical security measures for the first time this year on its western frontier. 'For the first time we will take physical security measures this year on our western border,' Sezer said in a statement. Turkiye shares a 200-kilometre (120-mile) border with Greece, with part of it already secured by fences. Greece began constructing barriers in 2012 to combat irregular migration, including a three-metre high barbed wire fence along part of its border. The country has expanded this fence, with plans to extend it further in the coming years. Bulgaria also built a 30-kilometre fence along its border with Turkiye in 2014. Turkiye's western coasts are a common departure point for migrants attempting to reach Greek islands, with several migrant boats capsizing in recent months. In February, six migrants drowned, and 27 others were rescued by Turkiye's coastguard. Turkiye has previously constructed walls on its borders with Syria and Iran to prevent the movement of migrants and to curb cross-border smuggling and terrorism. This new barrier on the Greek border marks a significant step in the country's efforts to address migration.
Arab News
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Turkiye to build wall on Greece border
ISTANBUL: Turkiye plans to build an 8.5-km wall on its western border where neighbors Greece and Bulgaria have already erected their own fences, a local governor said. The barrier is aimed at preventing migrants crossing into EU member states. Turkiye has in the past built walls on its border with Iran and Syria. 'For the first time we will take physical security measures this year on our western border,' Yunus Sezer, governor of Edirne in northwestern Turkiye, said. The governor said that initially an 8.5-km wall was planned, adding it could be extended. 'We will start from the border with Greece and from there, God willing, it will continue in the upcoming period depending on the situation,' he added. Turkiye shares a 200-km frontier with Greece and the border is separated along the Evros River, called Meric in Turkish. In 2012, Greece built two 3-meter tall, barbed wire barriers along 11 km of its frontier with Turkiye, which has previously been mined. It later tripled the length of the fence, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowing to extend it to more than 100 km by 2026. In 2014 Bulgaria put up a 30-kilometer razor wire fence along its border with Turkiye as migrants flocked there to avoid the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing. Four years later the fence was extended to cover almost all of the 259-km border.
Al Arabiya
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Al Arabiya
Turkey to build first wall on Greece border
Turkey plans to build an 8.5-kilometre (5.2-mile) wall on its western border where neighbors Greece and Bulgaria have already erected their own fences, a local governor said. The barrier is aimed at preventing migrants crossing into EU member states. Turkey has in the past built walls on its border with Iran and Syria. 'For the first time we will take physical security measures this year on our western border,' Yunus Sezer, governor of Edirne in northwestern Turkey, told reporters. The governor said that initially a 8.5-kilometre wall was planned, adding it could be extended. 'We will start from the border with Greece and from there, God willing, it will continue in the upcoming period depending on the situation,' he added. Turkey shares a 200-kilometre (120 miles) frontier with Greece and the border is separated along the Evros river, called Meric in Turkish. In 2012, Greece built two three-meter tall barbed wire barriers along 11 kilometers (seven miles) of its frontier with Turkey, which has previously been mined. It later tripled the length of the fence, with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis vowing to extend it to more than 100 kilometers by 2026. In 2014 Bulgaria put up a 30-kilometre razor wire fence along its border with Turkey as migrants flocked there to avoid the perilous Mediterranean Sea crossing. Four years later the fence was extended to cover almost all of the 259-kilometre border. Turkey's western coasts are also a starting point for migrants aiming to reach Greek islands. In February, six migrants drowned while another 27 were rescued by the coastguard when their boat started sinking off the western coast of Turkey.
