Along with Italy, financially-struggling Greece is a major destination for refugees and migrants from the Middle East and Africa seeking a better life in Europe. In this context, a number of refugees from Syria have camped in front of the Greek Parliament for almost two weeks, demanding documents so they can travel to other EU countries.

Secretary General for Population & Social Cohesion Angelos Syrigos met with the protesting refugees, some of whom have been on hunger strikes since last week, and urged them to apply for asylum in Greece, pointing out that, within the European context, this is the only legal solution for them. Once they are granted refugee status, they will be entitled to stay and work permit, health care and the opportunity to visit other European countries for three months per semester. He further informed demonstrating Syrians that rapid asylum procedures will be followed for those who can be identified.

The refugees are reluctant to do so because they fear this will prevent them from reaching other European countries, which is their intended destination.

Syrigos said (12.02) that Greece will ask Northern European countries if they are willing to grant asylum to some 200 Syrian refugees. “We will raise the issue but we should expect a stern response. It is almost certain our request will be turned down.”

Minister of Shipping and the Aegean, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis met with [in Greek] the director of the UN High Commissioner's Office for Refugees Udo Janz in New York (12.01) and discussed the country’s problem with irregular migration.

"Due to the geopolitical developments in the region of the Middle East, irregular migration through the country’s sea borders has skyrocketed," the minister said. "More assistance from the European Union and the United Nations is needed, since the pressure from irregular migration should concern the whole EU and the international organizations," he noted.