“Turkey has once again failed to meet its responsibility to the EU,” said Minister of the Navy for Trade Giannis Plakiotakis in a statement Sunday morning. Despite the refugee deal, the cargo ship deliberately brought 400 migrants to Greece. According to the Greek authorities, the ship had sent an emergency signal on Friday after an engine failure in international waters. The Greeks appealed to Turkey to take back their ship and tow it away. However, they refused vehemently – Greece then approved an anchorage on the Aegean island of Kos on Sunday morning.
Greece had asked Turkey in vain to take back the ship since Friday. Because of Turkey’s refusal, the Greek authorities finally approved berthing in Kos. Plakiotakis accused Turkey of “refusing to take back a ship sailing under the Turkish flag that started from a Turkish port”. According to the Greek authorities, almost 400 migrants disembarked. They should be quarantined and tested for the coronavirus. Six migrants were arrested for questioning.
Greece regularly accuses Turkey of violating the refugee agreement between the EU and Ankara. The March 2016 refugee deal stipulates that Turkey will limit the number of refugees entering the EU through its territory. In return, Turkey receives billions in financial aid from the European Union’s tax pot.
