Greece rues lack of progress on EU-Turkey deal, as tensions rise at FYROM border

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Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday complained over the lack of substantial progress regarding the implementation of the deal the EU reached last week with Turkey to stem the refugee influx into Europe through the Aegean Sea.

Athens' displeasure was conveyed to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during a telephone conversation as tensions in the overcrowded makeshift camp of Idomeni next to the border crossing between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) escalate dramatically, Greek national news agency AMNA reported.

The Greek leader told Stoltenberg that NATO's action had not produced the expected results, and that refugee flows continued unabated from Turkey since Sunday, when the agreement was put into effect.

Ankara needs to adhere to its commitments, Greece's government has repeatedly stressed, noting that some 2,500 people have crossed the Aegean since Sunday landing on the Greek islands. The numbers have decrease to about 500 from Tuesday to Wednesday due to the bad weather conditions, according to the Greek side.

Several thousand refugees and migrants trapped in Greece since mid-February due to the border closures also are losing their patience, and tensions are escalating.

The situation is most problematic especially in Idomeni, according to Greek officials and representatives of humanitarian organizations which have been assisting refugees for months in the area.

The Greek government has often called on the 12,000 people at the muddy camp of Idomeni to cooperate with authorities and move to organized hospitality centers across the country to receive sufficient aid, shelter, food and medical care.

But most refugees insist on staying in the tent city hoping that the borders will reopen and have staged sit-in protests on a daily basis.

Some of them did not allow NGOs to distribute food from Tuesday evening, telling volunteers that they will be on hunger strike until the borders open, according to representatives of the organizations, such as Antonis Rigas, coordinator of the Doctors Without Borders.

Due to the unprecedented tension, several organizations have temporarily withdrawn their volunteers, scaling down their operations.

During an interview with Greek Alpha radio channel on Wednesday, Greek government spokeswoman Olga Gerovassilis said the situation was under control and that the needs of people in the camp would be covered with the assistance of Armed Forces which are providing food. Endit

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