Greece calls on Europe for help. It was time !
(B2) It took a little time and a few press articles, as did the threat of an exit from Schengen (agitated behind the scenes by the European Commission through a few skilfully organized leaks in several national daily newspapers). Eventually Athens decided to seek help from Europe.
The civil protection mechanism triggered
Greece today activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism requesting material support to deal with the influx of refugees and asylum seekers into the country. Greece urgently needs tents, generators, beds, sanitary equipment and emergency first aid kits. This aid is coordinated by the Commission's Emergency Response Center (CESU), in close liaison with the Greek authorities and the other States.
A new operation on the Macedonian border
Athens also approved today the operational plan (OpPlan) of a new operation of the Frontex agency, which will be deployed on the border between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), where the agency will help with the registration of migrants. Deployment of additional agents will begin next week.
A reinforcement of border guards in the Aegean Sea
Finally, Greece today submitted a formal request for the deployment of a Rapid Border Intervention Team (RABIT) to provide immediate border guard reinforcement to the Aegean islands. Frontex will now treat the request as a matter of priority.
More than 50.000 people pass through Greece
More than 50.000 people have sought refuge in Greece since November 1 (mainly from Turkey). That is an average rate of 1600 people per day. This rate - according to our information - has decreased significantly since the summit held with Turkey and the granting of a facility of 3 billion euros. Ankara thus seems to have decided to control its border a little more and to put an end to the neglect of recent months. A fairly regular practice of Turkey, it seems if we are to believe European diplomats.
Article 222 of the Triggerable Treaty
One can really wonder in the conditions faced by Greece if there was not reason to trigger the solidarity clause of article 222 of the Treaty (1). According to the text, a Member State — affected by a disaster, of human origin, can invoke this clause "if he considers, after having exploited the possibilities offered by the existing means and instruments, both at national and Union level, that the situation manifestly exceeds the reaction capacities at his disposal ". We are obviously on this assumption. The only question is whether Greece has “exploited” all existing instruments at European Union level. We have to admit that no. The request for the triggering of the civil protection mechanism, made only today by Athens, proves it...
(NGV)
(1) Read also: Trigger the solidarity clause. A clause envisaged by Paris after the attacks of November 13, France having finally decided for a more intergovernmental and military approach with article 42.7 (read: Can France trigger a solidarity clause from its allies? What interest ?)
