ATHENS — Citizen Protection Minister Mihalis Chrisochoidis announced the hiring of an additional 800 border guards in northern Greece, in statements after his meetings with Greek Police officers at the Thessaloniki Police headquarters on Wednesday.

"I announce to you that we are proceeding with the hiring of another 800 border guards in northern Greece, 600 of whom will be located in Evros, 100 in Rodopi and 100 in Kavala, in order to form a second line of defence, so that it is certain that Greece is protecting its borders, the areas in northern Greece that are sensitive, that it protects them and that no can illegally enter the country but only those entitled to seek asylum," he said.

He said that the hirings will be held over the next months and afterwards the new hires will be trained so that they ready to be posted in the spring of 2021.