EU slams Greece over failure to control external bordersJanuary 27, 2016 - 17:36 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Greece has "seriously neglected" its obligations to control external borders, the European Commission has said in a draft report, BBC News reports. The assessment, made on a visit last November, describes serious deficiencies in Greek management. Greece is required to control its borders as part of the passport-free Schengen accord and has been given three months to improve the situation. More than 850,000 migrants and refugees arrived in Greece last year alone. A further 44,000 have reached the Greek islands since the start of 2016, mostly arriving on Lesbos, Samos and Chios from the Turkish mainland. The draft report cites failings in registering, fingerprinting and checking the identities of migrants, BBC says. If the Greek government is unable to make improvements, the European Commission says it will consider giving other Schengen states the right to enforce temporary border controls at Europe's internal frontiers. 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 | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |