Greece To Build Border Fence To Tackle Illegal Immigration

Greece Plans to Build Controversial Wall On Border With Turkey -- Voice Of America

The Greek government says it plans to build a fence along part of its border with Turkey to try to stop illegal immigrants from crossing into the country.

Greek authorities say more than 100,000 illegal immigrants arrived in the country last year. Most crossed the Evros River that separates Greece and Turkey - and the European Union from the outside world.

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More News On Greece's Proposed Anti-Migrant Wall

Concern over proposed Greek border fence -- CNN
Greece plans Turkey border fence to tackle migration -- BBC
Greece considers fence on part of Turkish border -- Bloomberg Businessweek
Greece To Build Anti-Migrant Fence Along Section Of Turkish Border -- RTT News
Greek Plan to Build Turkish Border Fence Draws Fire -- AoL News
Greece Will Build Fence Along Border With Turkey, Minister Says -- Bloomberg
Greece to build 128-mile anti-migrant wall -- The Telegraph
Greece plans anti-migrant fence at Turkish border -- Reuters

Greece And Turkey Find Common Ground

Recep Tayyip Erdogan (left) was on his first official visit to the Greek capital since 2004. Photo AFP

Economic Crisis Brings Greek-Turkish Thaw -- Time Magazine

Athens experienced a minor Turkish invasion Friday, but this one came with an invitation. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan led a more than 300-strong delegation of Turkish officials and businessmen to Greece, for what leaders of the two nations billed as the beginning of an historic new cooperation.

"Those who write history will write that two ancient civilizations, two important actors are now embarking on a path towards peace and friendship," said Erdogan at a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou, calling Greeks and Turks two peoples who have "eaten bread together."

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My Comment: Unfortunately, while many are hoping that better Turkey and Greece ties 'will yield arms reductions', the sad fact is that both sides are not ready for that big step.

Detente Between Greece And Turkey?

Greece's Woes A Chance To Bury Turk-Greek Rivalry? -- Reuters

(Reuters) - Greece's debt crisis may lead to improved ties with its old rival Turkey as the prime ministers of the two countries meet to discuss issues from cuts in defense spending, to financial crisis management.

Turkey's Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan visits Athens on Friday for talks with his Greek counterpart George Papandreou in what Turkish and Greek officials hope will bring a new era in relations between the often feuding Aegean neighbors.

With debt-choked Greece undergoing austerity measures, both Ankara and Athens have said they want to achieve the goal of demilitarizing the Aegean as a way of cutting defense spending.

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Update: Turkish PM visits troubled Greece, backs arms cuts -- AP

My Comment: The historical and cultural background for this age-old conflict will not change over night, but the financial crisis is giving both governments an opportunity to settle an internal problem. For Greece, they need money and cutting the defense budget is preferable than cutting someone's pensions. For Turkey, rumors of an impending coup d'etat from the military has been circulating since last year .... cutting their influence and their budgets will be one way to put them in line.

A Greece - Turkey Rapprochement?

Turkish FM with Greek deputy FM. Photo from Middle East Online

Turkey, Greece Agree To Enhance Military Ties -- Washington Post

ANKARA (Reuters) - Old rivals Turkey and Greece agreed Thursday to strengthen contacts between their militaries to reduce the chance of conflict between two countries that almost went to war in the mid-1990s.

Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and acting Greek Foreign Minister Dimitris Droutsas agreed in talks in Ankara to pursue joint training and military exchange visits.

"We should allocate our budgets not to arms but health, education and welfare," Davutoglu told a joint news conference.

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Update: Turkey hopes better Greek ties lower defense costs -- Business Week/AP

Update #2: Greece, Turkey eye stronger ties, lower defense spending -- Today's Zaman

My Comment: Greece is financially broke, and Turkey has a terrible history with it's military .... coup d'etats not withstanding.

If both countries can find some form of rapprochement and spirit of cooperation .... they will both be the better for it.