The regional mechanism lacks a common policy to face this scourge, a fact recognized by its high officials such as the President of the Community Executive, Ursula von der Leyen.

In this context, Greece tightened its migration policy this year by increasing land and sea patrols.

It also extended a border fence and built more secure camps on its islands close to Turkey, according to EU sources.

Athens denies accusations about so-called refoulements of asylum seekers, it claims it intercepts boats at sea to protect its own and EU borders.

Last May, that nation’s government said it would not allow irregular entry of migrants by land or sea, following an increase in attempts through its Aegean islands and border with Turkey.

Mediterranean countries are expecting more than 150,000 irregular arrivals this year, in a context marked by the war in Ukraine, according to the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR.

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