This document discusses EU refugee policies, focusing on the situation in Greece. It outlines the problems caused by refugee migration, including social, economic, and demographic impacts. The EU has developed policies around four pillars to address the refugee crisis: reducing irregular migration, securing borders, strengthening asylum processes, and developing legal migration pathways. However, Greek municipalities, especially coastal islands, struggle to implement EU programs and support refugees due to a lack of economic and social infrastructure.

1. EU Refugee Policies—The
Greek Case
IRTEA
www.irtea.gr
The problems of Refugee Policies
• Migration is considered the permanent or temporary change of
location of a person or a group.
• When the change of location is caused by different political
attitudes, prosecutions or war, the refugees problem is emerging.
• Refugees influence a society variously: demographically,
economically and socially.

2. • Social Impact is the most important. Societies who are not prepared
economically and ethically develop social reflections.
• There is the need to devolop specific social policies in order to
confront the emerge of social discrimination.
• EU has developed strong policies to face that challenge
The European Agenda on Migration and
Refugee Crisis
• Migration is an expression of the human aspiration for dignity, safety
and a better future.
• Migration is both an opportunity and a challenge for the EU.
• EU agenda on Migration is built upon four pillars: Reducing the
incentives for irregular migration—Saving lives and securing the

3. external borders— Strengthening the common asylum policy—
Developing a new policy on legal migration
• The EU agenda on Refugee and Migration is strongly related to Crisis
Management Policies. These policies are trying to manage social and
political instability.
• Political and Social Instability caused by Irregular Migration influnces
all the aspects of life
The European Agenda on Migration and
Refugee Crisis
• The irregular migration flows primarily along the Central and Eastern
Mediterranean routes has increased exponentially over the years
• EU Refugee Policies are connected to the Action Plan against Migrant
Smuggling. EU policies envisage enhanced cooperation with countries

4. of origin and transit towards a complete confrontation of Migrant
Smuggling
• Images of migrants and asylum seekers symbolize the tragic reality of
the irregular migration phenomenon
• EU has implemented legislative measures including: Strengthening
the mandate of FRONTEX— Establishing a verification system of
Schengen rules—Intensifying coordination between border
surveillance authorities
The European Agenda on Migration and
Refugee Crisis
• EU policies on Migration and Refugee Crisis have a humanitarian
concept.

5. • According to the EU charter of Fundamental Rights EU policies are
based on the principle of giving preference to voluntary return.
• Return legislation is part of the Schengen acquis.
• A lot of agreements have been negotiated with countries of origin and
transit.
Greek Municipalities and the Refugee
Problems
• Greece has faced huge problems concerning refugees coming from
Turkey.
• Municipalities at the coast line of Greece like the islands of Chios and
Lesvos are trying to build specific "hot spots" for the refugees.

6. • EU has implemented policies to support economically Greek
municipalities especially on the level of hosting refugees at specific
regions.
• The lack of economical and social structures does not allow Greek
local authorities to implement EU programmes concerning refugees.