Published : 04-05-2019
The Turkish authorities said that the first four months of this year 79,000 illegal migrants were intercepted while the number of those taking to the seas from Turkey's coasts decreased 17.6 percent. The country also stepped up the deportation of migrants sneaking into the country to get to Europe and the rate of the deported rose 34 percent.
Figures by the General Directorate of Migration show 79,002 illegal migrants were stopped between January 1 and April 25. A majority of them were Afghan nationals. A total of 32,942 Afghan migrants were intercepted in this period while authorities stopped another 11,691 Pakistani migrants and 6,432 migrants from Syria between January and late April.
Over recent years, Turkey has tightened security measures on its borders and cracked down on human smugglers, resulting in a decline in the number of illegal migrants looking to reach Europe from its borders.
The country has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of Syria's eight-year conflict. Some 268,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.
Turkey and the European Union signed an agreement in 2016. The deal stipulates that Greece is to send back migrants held on its Aegean islands back to Turkey. In return, Turkey is to send Syrian migrants it hosts to various European Union countries. For those managing to reach Europe, Greece remains a dangerous route due to the controversial "pushback" practice.
The Turkish authorities said that the first four months of this year 79,000 illegal migrants were intercepted while the number of those taking to the seas from Turkey's coasts decreased 17.6 percent. The country also stepped up the deportation of migrants sneaking into the country to get to Europe and the rate of the deported rose 34 percent.
Figures by the General Directorate of Migration show 79,002 illegal migrants were stopped between January 1 and April 25. A majority of them were Afghan nationals. A total of 32,942 Afghan migrants were intercepted in this period while authorities stopped another 11,691 Pakistani migrants and 6,432 migrants from Syria between January and late April.
Over recent years, Turkey has tightened security measures on its borders and cracked down on human smugglers, resulting in a decline in the number of illegal migrants looking to reach Europe from its borders.
The country has been the main route for refugees trying to cross into Europe, especially since the beginning of Syria's eight-year conflict. Some 268,000 irregular migrants were held in Turkey in 2018, according to the Interior Ministry.
Turkey and the European Union signed an agreement in 2016. The deal stipulates that Greece is to send back migrants held on its Aegean islands back to Turkey. In return, Turkey is to send Syrian migrants it hosts to various European Union countries. For those managing to reach Europe, Greece remains a dangerous route due to the controversial "pushback" practice.
