Turkiye to extend border security measures with new wall along Greece frontier

Turkiye is set to build its first wall on the western border with Greece, as the country seeks to strengthen its efforts to prevent migrants from crossing into European Union member states.

The wall, spanning 8.5 kilometres (5.2 miles), will be constructed along the Evros river, which forms the natural border between Turkiye and Greece.

Yunus Sezer, the governor of Edirne in northwestern Turkiye, announced the plans, stating that the country would take physical security measures for the first time this year on its western frontier.

“For the first time we will take physical security measures this year on our western border,” Sezer said in a statement.

Turkiye shares a 200-kilometre (120-mile) border with Greece, with part of it already secured by fences.

Greece began constructing barriers in 2012 to combat irregular migration, including a three-metre high barbed wire fence along part of its border.

The country has expanded this fence, with plans to extend it further in the coming years. Bulgaria also built a 30-kilometre fence along its border with Turkiye in 2014.

Turkiye’s western coasts are a common departure point for migrants attempting to reach Greek islands, with several migrant boats capsizing in recent months.

In February, six migrants drowned, and 27 others were rescued by Turkiye's coastguard.

Turkiye has previously constructed walls on its borders with Syria and Iran to prevent the movement of migrants and to curb cross-border smuggling and terrorism. This new barrier on the Greek border marks a significant step in the country’s efforts to address migration.