The clashes between migrants from Turkey and Greek border police on Wednesday (March 4th) left six people injured due to "Live fire", according to the local Turkish government, which claims that a migrant died of his injuries. The Greek government "Categorically denies" these shots, "Fake news made by Turkey".
Near the Pazarkule border post (Kastanies, Greek side), Agence France-Presse (AFP) was able to observe that at least one migrant had been wounded in the leg by gunfire from the Greek side after having attempted, with a group of refugees, to cut the fence erected at the border to enter Greek territory.
Skirmishes followed this incident in which migrants threw stones at the Greek security forces, which retaliated by using tear gas. Several Turkish ambulances arrived in the area following these clashes.
Smoke came from a big fire. In a video provided to AFP by the Greek government, Turkish police are seen firing tear gas canisters against Greek police at the border post. Cords of heavily-helmeted, helmeted policemen stood ready on the Greek side.
Erdogan calls for European support in Syria
More than 10,000 men, women and children have attempted to enter Greece since Turkey, which has welcomed 3.7 million refugees and fears a new influx, has stopped retaining them. Between Saturday and Monday evening, "24,203 attempts at illegal entry were avoided, 183 people were arrested", communicated the Greek government.
"If European countries want to solve the problem, then they must support Turkish political and humanitarian solutions in Syria"Recep Tayyip Erdogan said in a speech in Ankara on Wednesday morning.
In his speech, the Turkish president accused European countries of "Trample" human rights in "Beating, sinking boats and even pulling" on migrants seeking to travel to Europe:
"The Greeks, who use all means to prevent migrants from entering their territory – going so far as to drown or kill them with live ammunition –, should not forget that they themselves may need compassion someday. "
"The European Union will not give in to this blackmail", assured Wednesday the head of French diplomacy, Jean-Yves Le Drian. " The borders of Greece and the Schengen area are closed and we will make sure they stay closed, let's be clear! "
Europeans release funds
In solidarity with Athens, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Council President Charles Michel and European Parliament leader David Sassoli traveled to Greece on Tuesday near the Turkish border.
Ursula von der Leyen, said " alongside " from Greece and promised to Athens "All the help you need" to cope with the influx of thousands of migrants from neighboring Turkey. "Those who seek to test the unity of Europe will be disappointed", she declared at the border post of Kastanies, in the northeast of the country, alongside the Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to whom she promised "700 million euros", half of which immediately.
The head of the European diplomacy, Josep Borrell, announced Wednesday from Ankara that the European Union will release emergency aid of 170 million euros to deal with the humanitarian situation in Syria, including 70 million for the region of 'Idlib, in the grip of a serious humanitarian crisis.
