Migrant arrivals in Greece drop 90 percent: EU border agencyMay 13, 2016 - 14:46 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The number of migrants arriving in Greece dropped 90 percent in April, EU border agency Frontex said on Friday, May 13 in a sign that a deal with Turkey to send back those who make the sea journey between the two countries is working, Reuters said. Frontex said 2,700 people arrived in Greece from Turkey in April, most of them from Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Iraq, a 90 percent fall from March. Under the deal with Turkey, all migrants and refugees, including Syrians, who cross to Greece illegally across the sea are sent back. In return, the EU takes in thousands of Syrian refugees directly from Turkey and rewards it with more money, early visa-free travel and faster progress in EU membership talks. In Italy, 8,370 migrants arrived through the longer and more dangerous route from northern Africa, Frontex added, with nationals of Eritrea, Egypt and Nigeria accounting for the largest share on this route. Frontex said there was no sign of migrants shifting from the route via Greece to the central Mediterranean route. The number of people arriving in Italy in April was 13 percent lower than in March and half of that of April 2015, Frontex added. Photo: Reuters 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 | Kazakh Foreign Minister arrives in Armenia Kazakh Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu on Monday, March 18 arrived in Armenia for a two-day trip. Aliyev touts “good chances” for normalizing ties with Armenia Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev has declared that there are “good chances” for normalizing relations with Armenia. Top Armenian, Indian defense officials discuss cooperation The discussions primarily focused on enhancing cooperation in the defence sector between Armenia and India. IDBank unveils three sad stories about fraudsters IDBank has unveiled three scenarios of card fraud that have been happening more and more often in Armenia. |