Launched TUESDAY March 17, 2020 on www.zReportage.com Story #727: Border Standoff: Tens of thousands of migrants have been trying to get into Greece, an EU member state, since Turkey said it would no longer try to keep them on its territory as agreed in 2016 with the EU in return for billions of euros in aid. In turn Greek authorities are attempting to prevent the migrants from entering the country after Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the president of neighboring Turkey, said his government had 'opened the doors' for their passage into Greece and, the European Union. Greece has taken a host of steps in response to Erdogan's decision, including deploying forces to the border, suspending asylum applications and vowing to deport those who enter the country illegally. An estimated 1.2 million immigrants lived in Greece in 2017, according to data from the United Nations. They made up roughly 11% of Greece's population that year. However Greece's unauthorized immigrant population is a small part of its overall immigrant population. In 2017, an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 unauthorized immigrants lived in Greece, according to PEW Center estimates. This was far lower than in several other European countries, including Germany, the UK and France.
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Refugees are on their way to the border post Pazarkule to cross the border towards Greece. In view of the crush of thousands of migrants at the EU's external border between Greece and Turkey, the German government is counting on a united European response and more aid for Turkey as well.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Migrants walk with bread near the Turkish border crossing Pazarkule to the Greek Kastanies near Edirne.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Two migrants lying on the grass and resting near the Turkish border crossing Pazarkule to the Greek Kastanies.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Migrants try to break through fences near Pazarkule on the Turkish-Greek border.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Refugees sleep near a bus stop next to their belongings. In view of the crush of thousands of migrants at the EU's external border between Greece and Turkey, the German government is counting on a united European response and more aid for Turkey as well.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Refugees seek refuge in an abandoned building. In view of the crush of thousands of migrants at the EU's external border between Greece and Turkey, the German government is counting on a united European response and more help for Turkey as well.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Migrants travel in a horse-drawn carriage near the Turkish border crossing at Pazarkule to the Greek town of Kastanies.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Refugees sleep near a bus stop next to their belongings. In view of the crush of thousands of migrants at the EU's external border between Greece and Turkey, the German government is counting on a united European response and more aid for Turkey as well.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

A migrant stands next to a fire in the Turkish-Greek border province of Edirne.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Tear gas floats in the air at the Turkish border crossing Pazarkule near Edirne, where migrants are standing.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Migrants seek cover when Greek police use water cannons to try to stop them from breaking through a blockade at the border.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press

Migrants stand at the border fence on the Turkish-Greek border. Tear gas and water cannons were also used in clashes with Greek security forces.
© Yasin Akgul/DPA via ZUMA Press