More migrants return to Turkey from Greece under EU deal April 9, 2016 - 12:54 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two ferries carrying more than 120 migrants returned to Turkey from the Greek island of Lesbos on Friday, April 8 in the second round of arrivals under an EU deal with Ankara to stem mass migration to Europe across the Aegean Sea, Reuters reports. The accord, which came into force on Monday, aims to help end a chaotic influx into the European Union of migrants and refugees, most fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and beyond, after more than 1 million arrived last year. Around 325 people have now been sent back from the Greek islands under the accord, which the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has condemned and rights advocates say may violate international law. They are to be sent to a camp near Turkey's border with Bulgaria, to which the UNHCR said it had yet to gain access. The first ferry on Friday carried a group of 44 Pakistani men, Turkey's interior ministry said. Around two dozen uniformed Turkish police officers lined the boarding plank after it docked in the Turkish town of Dikili, accompanied by two coast guard vessels. The second ferry, which arrived shortly after 12:30 p.m. (930 GMT), carried 79 people, including migrants from Egypt, Afghanistan and Iraq, a Turkish official told Reuters. There were no Syrians on either boat, the official said, and the second group appeared to be almost all men, according to a Reuters reporter at the scene. No boats are expected over the weekend, Turkish officials said.  Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Caring for nature, we have started with ourselves - Team Telecom Armenia  Team Telecom Armenia summarized the work undertaken within the company in the direction of environmental protection.Residents of border Armenian villages continue protests Residents of several Armenian communities in Tavush province continued protests into April 22 morning.U.S. welcomes Armenia, Azerbaijan’s border delimitation announcement Blinken said it is an important step towards concluding a durable and dignified peace agreement.Residents Of border villages protest as Armenia, Azerbaijan agree on delimitation Residents of several Armenian communities in the northeastern Tavush province began protests late on Friday. |
