1.
EU Refugee Policies—The
Greek Case
IRTEA
www.irtea.gr
The problems of Refugee Policies
• Migration is considered the permanent or temporary change of
location of a person or a group.
• When the change of location is caused by different political
attitudes, prosecutions or war, the refugees problem is emerging.
• Refugees influence a society variously: demographically,
economically and socially.

2.
• Social Impact is the most important. Societies who are not prepared
economically and ethically develop social reflections.
• There is the need to devolop specific social policies in order to
confront the emerge of social discrimination.
• EU has developed strong policies to face that challenge
The European Agenda on Migration and
Refugee Crisis
• Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety
and a better future.
• Migration is both an opportunity and a challenge for the EU.
• EU agenda on Migration is built upon four pillars: Reducing the
incentives for irregular migration—Saving lives and securing the

3.
external borders— Strengthening the common asylum policy—
Developing a new policy on legal migration
• The EU agenda on Refugee and Migration is strongly related to Crisis
Management Policies. These policies are trying to manage social and
political instability.
• Political and Social Instability caused by Irregular Migration influnces
all the aspects of life
The European Agenda on Migration and
Refugee Crisis
• The irregular migration flows primarily along the Central and Eastern
Mediterranean routes has increased exponentially over the years
• EU Refugee Policies are connected to the Action Plan against Migrant
Smuggling. EU policies envisage enhanced cooperation with countries

4.
of origin and transit towards a complete confrontation of Migrant
Smuggling
• Images of migrants and asylum seekers symbolize the tragic reality of
the irregular migration phenomenon
• EU has implemented legislative measures including: Strengthening
the mandate of FRONTEX— Establishing a verification system of
Schengen rules—Intensifying coordination between border
surveillance authorities
The European Agenda on Migration and
Refugee Crisis
• EU policies on Migration and Refugee Crisis have a humanitarian
concept.

5.
• According to the EU charter of Fundamental Rights EU policies are
based on the principle of giving preference to voluntary return.
• Return legislation is part of the Schengen acquis.
• A lot of agreements have been negotiated with countries of origin and
transit.
Greek Municipalities and the Refugee
Problems
• Greece has faced huge problems concerning refugees coming from
Turkey.
• Municipalities at the coast line of Greece like the islands of Chios and
Lesvos are trying to build specific "hot spots" for the refugees.

6.
• EU has implemented policies to support economically Greek
municipalities especially on the level of hosting refugees at specific
regions.
• The lack of economical and social structures does not allow Greek
local authorities to implement EU programmes concerning refugees.