FYROM | | - Part 2

Greece/FYROM: Asylum seekers trapped at border – HRW reports

16/02/201615/02/2016 ENstaff borders, FYROM, Greece, HRW, Human Rights Watch, migrants, refugees

Nationality-based restrictions at the border between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are preventing asylum seekers from reaching countries where they want to lodge protection claims – Human Rights Watch.

On 26 January 2016, a young boy is carrying a large bundle of warm blankets on his shoulders. He is in the Miratovac Refugee Aid Point where, along with his family members, he can access support services and have an opportunity to rest before continuing his journey.

In 2015, more than one million refugees and migrants crossed the Mediterranean, arriving on Europeís shores, of which an estimated 253,700 ñ or one in four ñ were children. Latest trends show that children now make up 36 percent of the migration flow coming through the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Woman and children now make up 57 percent of the refugee and migrants with the majority from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq. Children arriving into a harsh winter in southeastern Europe are physically exhausted, scared, distressed and often in need of medical assistance, UNICEF warned.The recent sub-zero temperatures and sometimes snowy conditions is exacerbating the childrenís poor physical condition as many children on the move do not have adequate clothing, or access to age-appropriate nutrition. This has been worsened by the lack of shelter and inadequate heating in some reception centres as well as buses and trains. UNICEF said the issue was pressing as the proportion of children amongst refugees and migrants ñ now more than one in three ñ has continued to increase. According to national sources, in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, the ratio was 37 per cent in December, compared to 23 per cent in September, while in Serbia, 36 per cent were children in December compared to 27 per cent in September. In December most children transiting through UNICEF child-friendly spaces in Serbia were young children, including babies and infants and those between 5 to 9 years old.

european union society

More children and women seek safety in Europe: UNICEF

03/02/2016 ENstaff children, Europe, FYROM, migrants, refugees, UNICEF, women

For the first time since the start of the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe, there are more children and women on the move than adult males, says UNICEF.

society

Refugee women on the move in Europe are at risk, says UN

25/01/2016 ENstaff FYROM, girls, Greece, migrants, refugee crisis, refugees, UNFPA, UNHCR, women, WRC

Refugee and migrant women and girls on the move in Europe face grave risks of sexual and gender-based violence, UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Women’s Refugee Commission (WRC) highlighted in a joint report issued last week.

foreign affairs

PM Tsipras meets US VP Biden; discuss critical issues

20/01/2016 ENstaff Biden, Cyprus, Davos, energy, FYROM, Greece, refugee crisis, Tsipras, USA, WEF

Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras met with US Vice President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos. Discussion focused on the Greek economic programme, the refugee issue, the Greek American cooperation, especially in energy investments, the Cyprus issue as well as the FYROM name issue.

european union foreign affairs

Alternate FM Xydakis meets with Commissioner Hahn, discuss new Frontex, reforms, FYROM issue

18/12/201517/12/2015 ENstaff borders, economy, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry, FRONTEX, FYROM, Hahn, security, Xydakis

Xydakis highlighted Greece’s longstanding support for proposals that enhance border protection, adding that the new force, when it is created, must act with the consent of the interested state.

foreign affairs

FYROM name issue – Kotzias: ‘honest compromise’; Poposki: ‘no false expectations’

17/12/201517/12/2015 ENstaff Foreign Affairs, FYROM, Greece, Kotzias, migrants, Poposki, refugees

KOTZIAS: as regards the name issue “we are seeking an honest compromise” – POPOSKI: “creation of false expectations is in no one’s interest.”

society

Thousands still at Greek-FYROM border

05/12/2015 ENstaff borders, FYROM, Greece, Idomeni, migrants, refugee crisis

Thousands of refugees and migrants were stuck at the border between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia on Friday following tense protests which prevented anyone from crossing for more than 24 hours.

society

UNHCR concerned by violence at Greek border

03/12/201503/12/2015 ENstaff FYROM, Idomeni, refugee crisis, UNHCR

Tensions have been rising at Idomeni, on the Greek side of the border with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

Mogherini Poposki_EU Newsroom_embassynews

european union foreign affairs

Mogherini – Poposki discuss reforms, fYROM name issue

27/11/2015 ENstaff Balkans, Europe, FYROM, Mogherini, Poposki, reforms

Mogherini and Poposki meet to discuss reforms, fYROM name issue. Maintaining good neighbourly relations, including a solution to the name issue, also remains essential and concrete actions and results are needed without delay.

society

UNHCR warns of humanitarian problems at Greece’s borders

24/11/201524/11/2015 ENstaff FYROM, Greece, refugee crisis, Serbia, UNHCR

UNHCR remains concerned at the risks associated with a series of new and uncoordinated restrictions imposed on several borders in the Balkans.

interviews people

Ambassador of Norway:”The challenge for the Greek economy is its competitive edge and its business climate” [interview]

07/06/2016 ENstaff

The Ambassador of Norway in Athens, His Excellency Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, spoke to EmbassyNews.net and commented on the current developments in Greek and European politics, the economy and the refugee crisis.