ATHENS – It is clear that there is an organised plan on the part of Turkey to instrumentalise migrants, Citizen Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos said on Thursday in an interview with Skai TV.

Theodorikakos revealed that “only yesterday, 1,500 undocumented migrants tried to cross our borders. However, they discovered a very strong presence of preventive measures mounted by the Greek Police.”

Theodorikakos also underlined that the police forces are on operational alert and Evros is impassable.

“The Greek Police are in full readiness, on alert and implementing the operational plan “Akritas”, in absolute coordination with the Armed Forces and of course with the citizens of Evros. We are effectively dealing with the Turks’ ongoing attempt to instrumentalise migrants,” he stressed and added:

“In most cases, they are brought to our border by Turkish vehicles. For the time being this threat, and this plan, has not taken the dimensions of February and March 2020, but we are closely monitoring the situation to prevent the slightest occurrence.”

Concluding the minister called on the main opposition, especially in these moments, to show seriousness and responsibility.