Officers try to disperse crowds after demonstrators attempt to turn over police bus in Lesbos

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This article is more than 1 year old

Greek riot police have fired teargas to try to disperse angry protesters on Lesbos who tried to turn over a police bus during a demonstration against an EU migration policy.

Lesbos to greet Greek PM's visit with protests, shutters and strikes Read more

The protesters were among 2,500 demonstrators who gathered at the island’s main port as the Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, arrived to speak at a conference. A large contingent of riot police formed a cordon to stop the protesters from advancing further. Scores of them then tried to push over a police bus.

Officers fired teargas and earlier had discharged a flash grenade. No arrests or injuries were reported.



A general strike on Thursday virtually shut down Lesbos to enable the protest against a 2016 deal between the EU and Turkey that has left thousands of asylum seekers stranded on the island. Under the deal, those arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held and face deportation to the country unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were closed in the main town of Mytilene on Thursday. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

More than 15,000 migrants and refugees remain stuck on Lesbos, Chios, and three other islands, most staying in severely overcrowded camps.

Médecins Sans Frontières said: “Thousands of people are still living in appalling conditions with limited access to medical facilities.”

It added that conditions at the largest refugee camp “were putting the health and lives of people stranded on the island at risk”.

Additional police officers, including members of anti-riot units, were sent to Lesbos and took up positions around Mytilene. Supporters and opponents of the government used vans fitted with loudspeakers to promote the protest.

Tension on the islands has been building as the number of refugees and migrants arriving from Turkey has risen sharply in recent weeks.

“The situation on the island is exceptionally difficult. We are feeling the effects of a long-term financial crisis and the way the refugee crisis has been handled,” the mayor of Lesbos, Spyros Galinos, said.

“For there to be any talk of growth or recovery, we must first be lifted out of this emergency situation.”

The government has promised to move thousands of asylum seekers to the mainland but says the process will take several months to implement and will require additional staff and more sites around Greece.

The number of daily arrivals continues to rise on Lesbos and at Greece’s land border with Turkey.

Authorities said 53 people – including 23 children – believed to be from Iraq and Syria were picked up on Thursday after a yacht used to smuggle them into the Greece ran aground on a remote mainland beach in the north-east of the country.

The 12-metre (40ft) Turkish-flagged yacht ran aground on Molyvos beach in the north-east of the island, far from any of the usual routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.</s>BERLIN (AP) — The Latest on migration issues in Europe (all times local):

About 500 people on the Greek island of Lesbos are protesting against a European Union migration policy, many of them holding black flags.

Police have set up a cordon at the island's main port and are using riot police buses to prevent protesters from coming close to government officials visiting the island. One group of marchers filed past coast guard cutters from Greece, Italy and Britain, chanting "solidarity with refugees."

Protester Nikos Bourboulis said: "We are all suffering here — the refugees and the islanders. Unless we push back, nothing will change."

A general strike has virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 EU-Turkey agreement. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands facing deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

A general strike virtually shut down the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday as residents protested a European Union migration policy that has left thousands of asylum-seekers stranded here.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shuttered in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open.

Two protest rallies were planned later in the day when Tsipras was due to speak at a conference. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

Greek authorities say they have picked up 53 people, all believed to be from Iraq and Syria, after the boat smuggling them into the country ran aground on a remote beach off the mainland of northeastern Greece.

Authorities said Thursday the boat, a 12-meter (40-foot) Turkish-flagged yacht, ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the northeastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.

The group comprised 19 men, 11 women and 23 children aged between 2 and 8.

Hundreds of migrants continue to pass from Turkey into Greece. Nearly all cross either from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands or forge across a river along the Greek-Turkish land border.

Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter in southern Germany after authorities were prevented from deporting a 23-year-old man from Togo days ago.

Police confirmed that the operation had taken place in the early hours of Thursday, but declined to provide further details immediately.

German news agency dpa reported that several people, including three police officers, were injured in the raid in Ellwangen, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of Nuremberg.

Some 150 residents of the migrant shelter had reportedly swarmed the police vehicles sent to pick up the Togolese man Monday, forcing officers to abort his deportation.</s>BERLIN (AP) - The Latest on migration issues in Europe (all times local):

About 500 people on the Greek island of Lesbos are protesting against a European Union migration policy, many of them holding black flags.

Police have set up a cordon at the island's main port and are using riot police buses to prevent protesters from coming close to government officials visiting the island. One group of marchers filed past coast guard cutters from Greece, Italy and Britain, chanting "solidarity with refugees."

Protester Nikos Bourboulis said: "We are all suffering here - the refugees and the islanders. Unless we push back, nothing will change."

A general strike has virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 EU-Turkey agreement. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands facing deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

A general strike virtually shut down the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday as residents protested a European Union migration policy that has left thousands of asylum-seekers stranded here.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shuttered in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open.

Two protest rallies were planned later in the day when Tsipras was due to speak at a conference. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

Greek authorities say they have picked up 53 people, all believed to be from Iraq and Syria, after the boat smuggling them into the country ran aground on a remote beach off the mainland of northeastern Greece.

Authorities said Thursday the boat, a 12-meter (40-foot) Turkish-flagged yacht, ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the northeastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.

The group comprised 19 men, 11 women and 23 children aged between 2 and 8.

Hundreds of migrants continue to pass from Turkey into Greece. Nearly all cross either from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands or forge across a river along the Greek-Turkish land border.

Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter in southern Germany after authorities were prevented from deporting a 23-year-old man from Togo days ago.

Police confirmed that the operation had taken place in the early hours of Thursday, but declined to provide further details immediately.

German news agency dpa reported that several people, including three police officers, were injured in the raid in Ellwangen, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of Nuremberg.

Some 150 residents of the migrant shelter had reportedly swarmed the police vehicles sent to pick up the Togolese man Monday, forcing officers to abort his deportation.</s>BERLIN — The Latest on migration issues in Europe (all times local):

About 500 people on the Greek island of Lesbos are protesting against a European Union migration policy, many of them holding black flags.

Police have set up a cordon at the island’s main port and are using riot police buses to prevent protesters from coming close to government officials visiting the island. One group of marchers filed past coast guard cutters from Greece, Italy and Britain, chanting “solidarity with refugees.”

Protester Nikos Bourboulis said: “We are all suffering here — the refugees and the islanders. Unless we push back, nothing will change.”

A general strike has virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 EU-Turkey agreement. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands facing deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

A general strike virtually shut down the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday as residents protested a European Union migration policy that has left thousands of asylum-seekers stranded here.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shuttered in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open.

Two protest rallies were planned later in the day when Tsipras was due to speak at a conference. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

Greek authorities say they have picked up 53 people, all believed to be from Iraq and Syria, after the boat smuggling them into the country ran aground on a remote beach off the mainland of northeastern Greece.

Authorities said Thursday the boat, a 12-meter (40-foot) Turkish-flagged yacht, ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the northeastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.

The group comprised 19 men, 11 women and 23 children aged between 2 and 8.

Hundreds of migrants continue to pass from Turkey into Greece. Nearly all cross either from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands or forge across a river along the Greek-Turkish land border.

Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter in southern Germany after authorities were prevented from deporting a 23-year-old man from Togo days ago.

Police confirmed that the operation had taken place in the early hours of Thursday, but declined to provide further details immediately.

German news agency dpa reported that several people, including three police officers, were injured in the raid in Ellwangen, about 85 kilometres (53 miles) southwest of Nuremberg.

Some 150 residents of the migrant shelter had reportedly swarmed the police vehicles sent to pick up the Togolese man Monday, forcing officers to abort his deportation.</s>Greek riot police have fired tear gas to try to disperse protesters on the island of Lesbos who tried to topple a police bus during a demonstration against a European Union migration policy.

Greek riot police have fired tear gas to try to disperse protesters on the island of Lesbos who tried to topple a police bus during a demonstration against a European Union migration policy.

A large contingent of riot police formed a cordon to block the protesters from advancing further, and scores of them then tried to push over a police bus. Officers fired tear gas and earlier discharged a flash grenade. No one has been injured or arrested. The crowd has regrouped but there has not been any further violence.

A general strike on Thursday virtually shut down the island in protest at a 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey that has left thousands of asylum seekers stranded on Lesbos. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held and face deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shut in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

More than 15,000 migrants and refugees remain stuck on Lesbos, Chios and three other islands, most staying in severely overcrowded camps. “Thousands of people are still living in appalling conditions with limited access to medical facilities,” the aid group Doctors Without Borders said.

Additional police officers, including anti-riot units, were sent to Lesbos and took up positions around Mytilene. Supporters and opponents of the government used vans fitted with loudspeakers to promote the protest as well as a speech planned by the prime minister.

Tension on the islands has been building as the number of migrants arriving from Turkey has risen sharply in recent weeks. “The situation on the island is exceptionally difficult. We are feeling the effects of a long-term financial crisis and the way the refugee crisis has been handled,” Lesbos Mayor Spyros Galinos said.

“For there to be any talk of growth or recovery, we must first be lifted out of this emergency situation.” The government has promised to move thousands of asylum seekers to the mainland but says the effort will take several months to implement — requiring additional staff and more shelter sites around Greece.

In the meantime, the number of daily arrivals continues to rise on the island and Greece’s land border with Turkey. Authorities said 53 people believed to be from Iraq and Syria were picked up on Thursday after a yacht used to smuggle them into the country ran aground on a remote mainland beach in north-eastern Greece. The Turkish-flagged yacht ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the north-eastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.</s>The Latest on migration issues in Europe (all times local):

Greek riot police have fired tear gas to disperse angry protesters on the island of Lesbos who tried to topple a police bus during a demonstration against a European Union migration policy.

The protesters were among 2,500 demonstrators who gathered in Lesbos' main port as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras arrived to speak at a conference. A large contingent of riot police formed a cordon to block the protesters from advancing further, and scores of them then tried to push over a police bus.

Officers fired tear gas and earlier had discharged a flash grenade. No one has been injured or arrested.

A general strike has virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands and face deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

About 500 people on the Greek island of Lesbos are protesting against a European Union migration policy, many of them holding black flags.

Police have set up a cordon at the island's main port and are using riot police buses to prevent protesters from coming close to government officials visiting the island. One group of marchers filed past coast guard cutters from Greece, Italy and Britain, chanting "solidarity with refugees."

Protester Nikos Bourboulis said: "We are all suffering here — the refugees and the islanders. Unless we push back, nothing will change."

A general strike has virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 EU-Turkey agreement. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands facing deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

A general strike virtually shut down the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday as residents protested a European Union migration policy that has left thousands of asylum-seekers stranded here.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shuttered in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open.

Two protest rallies were planned later in the day when Tsipras was due to speak at a conference. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

Greek authorities say they have picked up 53 people, all believed to be from Iraq and Syria, after the boat smuggling them into the country ran aground on a remote beach off the mainland of northeastern Greece.

Authorities said Thursday the boat, a 12-meter (40-foot) Turkish-flagged yacht, ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the northeastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.

The group comprised 19 men, 11 women and 23 children aged between 2 and 8.

Hundreds of migrants continue to pass from Turkey into Greece. Nearly all cross either from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands or forge across a river along the Greek-Turkish land border.

Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter in southern Germany after authorities were prevented from deporting a 23-year-old man from Togo days ago.

Police confirmed that the operation had taken place in the early hours of Thursday, but declined to provide further details immediately.

German news agency dpa reported that several people, including three police officers, were injured in the raid in Ellwangen, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of Nuremberg.

Some 150 residents of the migrant shelter had reportedly swarmed the police vehicles sent to pick up the Togolese man Monday, forcing officers to abort his deportation.</s>Greek riot police fired tear gas Thursday at angry protesters on the island of Lesbos who tried to topple a police bus during a demonstration against a European Union migration policy.

The protesters were among 2,500 demonstrators who gathered in Lesbos’ main port as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras arrived to speak at a conference. A large contingent of riot police formed a cordon to block the protesters from advancing further, and scores of them then tried to push over a police bus in clashes that lasted more than an hour. No arrests or injuries were reported.

Officers fired tear gas and earlier had discharged several flash grenades.

A general strike Thursday virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey that has left thousands of asylum-seekers stranded on Lesbos. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held and face deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

“It has gone too far. Every day buses (with refugees) arrive, and they’re full,” protester Yannis Vaxevanis said.

“The (government) has to do something and take the people somewhere else.”

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shuttered in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open.

Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

More than 15,000 migrants and refugees remain stuck on Lesbos, Chios, and three other islands, most staying in severely overcrowded camps.

“Thousands of people are still living in appalling conditions with limited access to medical facilities,” the aid group Doctors Without Borders. Conditions at the largest refugee camp in Lesbos, the group said “were putting the health and lives of people stranded on the island at risk.”

Additional police officers, including anti-riot units, were sent to Lesbos and took up positions around Mytilene. Supporters and opponents of the government used vans fitted with loudspeakers to promote the protest as well as a speech planned by the prime minister later Thursday.

Tension on the islands has been building as the number of migrants arriving from Turkey has risen sharply in recent weeks.

“The situation on the island is exceptionally difficult. We are feeling the effects of a long-term financial crisis and the way the refugee crisis has been handled,” Lesbos Mayor Spyros Galinos said.

“For there to be any talk of growth or recovery, we must first be lifted out of this emergency situation.”

The government has promised to move thousands of asylum-seekers to the mainland but says the effort will take several months to implement – requiring additional staff and more shelter sites around Greece.

“Our aim is to deal with delays as swiftly as possible,” Tsipras said, before adding: “There are people who didn’t want me to visit the island and tried to scare (the government) away ... We did not run away.”

In the meantime, the number of daily arrivals continues to rise on the island and Greece’s land border with Turkey.

Authorities said 53 people believed to be from Iraq and Syria were picked up Thursday after a yacht used to smuggle them into the country ran aground on a remote mainland beach in northeastern Greece.

The 12-meter (40-foot) Turkish-flagged yacht ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the northeastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.

The group was made up of 19 men, 11 women and 23 children between the ages of 2 and 8.</s>(Stefan Puchner/dpa via AP). Masked police officers stand in a migrant shelter in Ellwangen, southern Germany, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter after authorities were prevented from deporting a 23-year-o...

(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris). A woman walks on an empty street in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Stores and services have been closed on the island of Lesbos Thursday ahead of a visit by Prime...

(Stefan Puchner/dpa via AP). A masked police officer leads handcuffed migrants in a migrant shelter in Ellwangen, southern Germany, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter after authorities were prevented from ...

(Stefan Puchner/dpa via AP). A police van used to transport prisoners stands in front of a migrant shelter in Ellwangen, southern Germany, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter after authorities were prevente...

BERLIN (AP) - The Latest on migration issues in Europe (all times local):

Greek riot police have fired tear gas to disperse angry protesters on the island of Lesbos who tried to topple a police bus during a demonstration against a European Union migration policy.

The protesters were among 2,500 demonstrators who gathered in Lesbos' main port as Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras arrived to speak at a conference. A large contingent of riot police formed a cordon to block the protesters from advancing further, and scores of them then tried to push over a police bus.

Officers fired tear gas and earlier had discharged a flash grenade. No one has been injured or arrested.

A general strike has virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 agreement between the EU and Turkey. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands and face deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

About 500 people on the Greek island of Lesbos are protesting against a European Union migration policy, many of them holding black flags.

Police have set up a cordon at the island's main port and are using riot police buses to prevent protesters from coming close to government officials visiting the island. One group of marchers filed past coast guard cutters from Greece, Italy and Britain, chanting "solidarity with refugees."

Protester Nikos Bourboulis said: "We are all suffering here - the refugees and the islanders. Unless we push back, nothing will change."

A general strike has virtually shut down the island to protest a 2016 EU-Turkey agreement. Under the deal, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands facing deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog, angering people on Lesbos and other Greek islands.

A general strike virtually shut down the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday as residents protested a European Union migration policy that has left thousands of asylum-seekers stranded here.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shuttered in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open.

Two protest rallies were planned later in the day when Tsipras was due to speak at a conference. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

Greek authorities say they have picked up 53 people, all believed to be from Iraq and Syria, after the boat smuggling them into the country ran aground on a remote beach off the mainland of northeastern Greece.

Authorities said Thursday the boat, a 12-meter (40-foot) Turkish-flagged yacht, ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the northeastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.

The group comprised 19 men, 11 women and 23 children aged between 2 and 8.

Hundreds of migrants continue to pass from Turkey into Greece. Nearly all cross either from the Turkish coast to nearby Greek islands or forge across a river along the Greek-Turkish land border.

Hundreds of police officers have raided a migrant shelter in southern Germany after authorities were prevented from deporting a 23-year-old man from Togo days ago.

Police confirmed that the operation had taken place in the early hours of Thursday, but declined to provide further details immediately.

German news agency dpa reported that several people, including three police officers, were injured in the raid in Ellwangen, about 85 kilometers (53 miles) southwest of Nuremberg.

Some 150 residents of the migrant shelter had reportedly swarmed the police vehicles sent to pick up the Togolese man Monday, forcing officers to abort his deportation.

Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.</s>A general strike virtually shut down the Greek island of Lesbos on Thursday as residents protested a European Union migration policy that has left thousands of asylum-seekers stranded here.

Most businesses, shops, cafes and local government offices were shuttered in the main town of Mytilene. The only sign of normality was that police officers were still on duty, and the local tax office was open.

Two protest rallies were planned later in the day when Tsipras was due to speak at a conference. Stores were also closed in protest on the nearby island of Chios.

More than 15,000 migrants and refugees remain stuck on Lesbos, Chios, and three other islands, most staying in severely overcrowded camps.

"Thousands of people are still living in appalling conditions with limited access to medical facilities," the aid group Doctors Without Borders. Conditions at the largest refugee camp in Lesbos, the group said "were putting the health and lives of people stranded on the island at risk."

Additional police officers, including anti-riot units, have been sent to Lesbos and took up positions around Mytilene. Supporters and opponents of the government used vans fitted with loudspeakers to promote the protest as well as a speech planned by the prime minister later Thursday.

Under a 2016 EU-Turkey agreement, migrants arriving on Greek islands from Turkey are held on the islands facing deportation to Turkey unless they successfully apply for asylum in Greece. The deal has created a massive backlog.

Tension on the islands has been building as the number of migrants arriving from Turkey has risen sharply in recent weeks.

"The situation on the island is exceptionally difficult. We are feeling the effects of a long-term financial crisis and the way the refugee crisis has been handled," Lesbos Mayor Spyros Galinos said.

"For there to be any talk of growth or recovery, we must first be lifted out of this emergency situation."

The government has promised to move thousands of asylum-seekers to the mainland but says the effort will take several months to implement — requiring additional staff and more shelter sites around Greece.

In the meantime, the number of daily arrivals continues to rise on the island and Greece's land border with Turkey

Authorities said 53 people believed to be from Iraq and Syria were picked up Thursday after a yacht used to smuggle them into the country ran aground on a remote mainland beach in northeastern Greece.

The 12-meter (40-foot) Turkish-flagged yacht ran aground on Molyvoti beach in the northeastern Rodopi region, far from any of the usual smuggling routes used to ferry migrants and refugees from Turkey to Greece.

The group was made up of 19 men, 11 women and 23 children between the ages of 2 and 8.</s>THESSALONIKI, Greece (AP) - Greece's foreign minister has voiced concerns about at a new Syrian real estate law that would force refugees to return home if they want to keep their property in Syria.

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias says the law does not secure the properties of millions of Syrians who are now displaced outside the country. He says it will make their eventual return to Syria much more difficult.

The decree, made public last month, gives property owners in some parts of Syria one month to provide ownership deeds or face confiscation of their property.

Protesters hold a placard which reads in Greek "SOS Moria. Solution now" referring to the Moria refugee camp, during a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Thousands of Syrian refugees have sought asylum in Greece.

Kotzias spoke during a southern Balkans ministerial meeting Friday in the northern Greek city of Thessaloniki.

Protesters shout anti-government slogans during a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Protesters hold a placard which reads in Greek "SOS Moria. Solution now" referring to the Moria refugee camp, during a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Protesters rock a riot police bus in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Islanders take part in a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Islanders take part in a protest in the town of Mytilene on the northeastern Aegean island of Lesbos, Thursday, May 3, 2018. Police used tear gas to disperse the protesters who joined a demonstration against a visit to the island by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras. Stores and services were also closed and at the government and European Union migration policy which has left thousands of migrants and refugees stranded on the island. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)
Protestors riot in Lesbos, Greece in demonstrations against a European Union migration policy. Police fire tear gas.