Greece urges Turkey to take back 1,450 migrants

Greek official says Ankara has opportunity to show it is serious about 2016 EU deal

A migrant boy stands outside a tent at a refugee camp in Nea Kavala, northern Greece. About 1,500 asylum-seekers transported from Greece's eastern Aegean island of Lesbos to the mainland. Around 1,000 of those transferred and housed in Nea Kavala, where they will be staying in tents until the end of the month, after which they will be transferred to a new camp under construction. AP

A migrant carries his belongings at a refugee camp in Nea Kavala, northern Greece. About 1,500 asylum-seekers transported from Greece's eastern Aegean island of Lesbos to the mainland. Around 1,000 of those transferred and housed in Nea Kavala, where they will be staying in tents until the end of the month, after which they will be transferred to a new camp under construction. AP

A migrant passes by telephone booths in Nea Kavala camp, near the city of Kilkis, northern Greece. Some 1000 refugees and migrants were transferred from the Greek island of Lesbos to the Nea Kavala camp under a decision taken by the Greek government at an emergency meeting on August 31. AFP

Hundreds of migrants arrive from the Greek island of Lesbos in the port of Thessaloniki. Another 700 migrants are due to be transferred later Monday, under a decision taken by the Greek government at an emergency meeting Saturday.The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that the island of Lesbos was sheltering nearly 11,000 people at the end of August -- four times its capacity. In August alone, more than 3,000 people had arrived there, said the agency. AFP

Hundreds of migrants arrive from the Greek island of Lesbos in the port of Thessaloniki. Another 700 migrants are due to be transferred later Monday, under a decision taken by the Greek government at an emergency meeting Saturday.The UN High Commissioner for Refugees said that the island of Lesbos was sheltering nearly 11,000 people at the end of August -- four times its capacity. In August alone, more than 3,000 people had arrived there, said the agency. AFP

Children play after arriving at Nea Kavala refugee camp, near the city of Kilkis, northern Greece. Some 1000 refugees and migrants were transferred from the Greek island of Lesbos to the Nea Kavala camp under a decision taken by the Greek government at an emergency meeting on August 31. AFP

A boy stands at Nea Kavala camp, near the city of Kilkis, northern Greece. Some 1000 refugees and migrants were transferred from the Greek island of Lesbos to the Nea Kavala camp under a decision taken by the Greek government at an emergency meeting on August 31. AFP

Migrants are seen at Nea Kavala camp, near the city of Kilkis, northern Greece. Some 1000 refugees and migrants were transferred from the Greek island of Lesbos to the Nea Kavala camp under a decision taken by the Greek government at an emergency meeting on August 31. AFP

A baby sleeps at a refugee camp in Nea Kavala, northern Greece. About 1,500 asylum-seekers transported from Greece's eastern Aegean island of Lesbos to the mainland. Around 1,000 of those transferred and housed in Nea Kavala, where they will be staying in tents until the end of the month, after which they will be transferred to a new camp under construction. AP

A migrant arrives at a refugee camp in Nea Kavala, northern Greece. About 1,500 asylum-seekers transported from Greece's eastern Aegean island of Lesbos to the mainland. Around 1,000 of those transferred and housed in Nea Kavala, where they will be staying in tents until the end of the month, after which they will be transferred to a new camp under construction. AP

Children sleep inside a tent at a refugee camp in Nea Kavala, northern Greece. About 1,500 asylum-seekers transported from Greece's eastern Aegean island of Lesbos to the mainland. Around 1,000 of those transferred and housed in Nea Kavala, where they will be staying in tents until the end of the month, after which they will be transferred to a new camp under construction. AP

Turkey should take back 1,450 migrants to show it is willing to abide by a 2016 deal with the EU to stem refugee flows into the bloc, Greece’s migration minister said.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly threatened to open his country’s borders with the EU to migrants as a form of leverage.

"We have proposed to Turkey to restart returns of those not entitled to protection," Notis Mitarachi told AFP.

“I think it’s a very good opportunity for Turkey to demonstrate their willingness to co-operate with the EU and uphold the joint statement,” the minister said.

As part of the deal, agreed a year after more than 850,000 people crossed the Aegean Sea into the EU, Turkey would be paid €6 billion ($7.14bn) to stop migrants making the journey into Greece and Bulgaria.

But Ankara disputes European Commission claims that €4.1bn has been delivered to Turkey and the rest of the money to refugee projects.

“We believe that the proper implementation of the 2016 joint statement between the EU and Turkey is very important for both the EU and Turkey,” Mr Mitarachi said.

“Turkey has undertaken certain responsibilities under the statement, the EU has done the same. Both parts need to fulfil these obligations,” he said.

While 173,000 people crossed the Aegean Sea in 2016, the deal meant only about 30,000 made the trip in 2017.

Relations between Turkey and the EU have become strained in recent years after a string of disputes.

One of the main sources of tension is maritime boundaries in the eastern Mediterranean between Cyprus, Greece and Turkey.

Diplomats from Ankara and Athens have resumed exploratory talks over the issue, with Turkish foreign minister Mevlut Cavusoglu saying on Wednesday he would meet his Greek opposite number, Nikos Dendias, in Turkey on April 14.