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The Minister of Citizen Protection of Greece, Takis Theodorikakos, has revealed that 700 new police officers graduating in September from the Hellenic Police schools will immediately be available to the Greek Police.

Currently, more than 2,500 police officers operate daily on the streets to protect all Greek citizens, SchengenVisaInfo.com reports.

Through a statement, the Minister also emphasized that extending the fence in the Evros river area is definitely necessary, as 40,000 illegal immigrants tried to cross in August alone. Also, the Greek Police stopped the entry of 150,000 illegal immigrants.

In this regard, the Minister said that the fence would be extended another 140 km, and 250 border guards would be hired. At the same time, the means of guarding the border of the Evros will be strengthened with the latest technological equipment.

“To date, 37 kilometres of the fence have been built and extending it by 140 more is possible. It is certainly a big project. After so many years of operational experience of the Police and the Army, our services themselves have concluded that it is necessary to build it in the places where there is a fence; basically, there is not the slightest pressure, and no one tries to try to cross the Evros by jumping an obstacle 5 meters high which is also guarded by both Police and electronic means,” he noted.

As the Minister explains, a series of measures are being taken to digitize services within September, and police officers are expected to stop the circulation of documents, which will be done through a digital platform.

Moreover, he also expressed that Europe owes his country a thank you for guarding the eastern border with Turkey, stressing that the Greeks are united to protect sovereign rights.

“As a Minister in these 12 months, it is the fourth time I have assumed the responsible duties of the Minister of Public Order of the country where I visit Evros. That is where the heart of Greece beats, and we must all realize that there continues to be a very strong threat against our country, against the security of Greece and its citizens,” he pointed out in this regard.

In May, Greek authorities announced that due to fears of an increase in migrants reaching the country from the border with Turkey and amid high tensions between Athens and Ankara, the Greek government would add another 80 km to its 35 km concrete wall at this limit.

>> 154,102 Illegal Immigrants Have Entered Greece Since Beginning of 2022