Less than a thousand new arrivals are now recorded on a daily basis on Greek islands. During the previous period, more than two thousand people would enter Europe through that route, which is encouraging, said Natasha Bertaud, European Commission spokesperson for Migration.
Also according to the UN Refugee Agency, Greece has been receiving less than a thousand daily arrivals by sea since the beginning of March, almost half February's daily average of 1.968.
Based on the agreement between EU and Ankara, Turkey will be taking back all undocumented migrants who enter Greece from Turkey and sending in return approved Syrian refugees on a one-for-one basis.
Natasha Bertaud said in a Press Briefing, that migrants’ returns are already being executed. In 24 March 76 undocumented immigrants were transported back to Turkey, another 71 on 25 March. She also mentioned that the returns of asylum seekers whose applications are rejected will start in the same time as the implementation of the relocation scheme of refugees from Turkey. That is scheduled for the 4th of April.
The European Commission spokesperson for Migration also reminded that the Commission is waiting for the necessary legislative reforms to be adopted both in Greece and Turkey, so that the agreement can go into effect.
Regarding Greece, this includes the recognition of Turkey as a safe state. Natasha Bertaud said the law is expected to pass “during the next days, if not tomorrow”. She also added that all changes are “absolutely in accordance with European and international law”.
Turkey, on the other hand, has to follow up on reforms about the protection of refugees as described in the Geneva Convention. According to Natasha Bertaud, European Commission executives are in cooperation with Ankara for that to happen. Also, Martin Fervey, who is coordinating the implementation of the EU-Turkey deal, will visit to the Turkish capitol to accelerate talks.
While, the European Commission may be satisfied by the sharp decrease in new arrivals through Greece, Italy has already raised concerns over the increase of new arrivals at its shores. The Italian coastguard reported on March 28 it had rescued 1.482 migrants in two days, yet another indication that the number of refugees and/or migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean is on the rise.
According to AFP, the United Nations Refugee Agency said in 2016 almost 14.500 people had arrived in Italy via Libya, which was 42.5% more than in the same period last year.
French Defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned last week that roughly another 800.000 migrants were waiting in Libya to make the crossing to Europe but a spokesperson for the Tripoli navy has since dismissed that claim as “exaggerated”.