We have since been told there is no chance of the EU funding such a progarmme

Really? Quite relieving... :-)

The money distributed to Greece in 2012:
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=E-2012-002742&language=EN

Εxternal Borders Fund 44.745.804 euro
European Return Fund 37.357.613 euro
European Refugee Fund 4.015.377 euro
European Fund for the Integration of third-country nationals 4.115.432 euro

The rennovation of the existing detention centres in the Evros region [Spring 2012 - Fylakio, Soufli, Ferres, Tychero] (if I remember well) was funded by the Return Fund
Noone (Citizen Protection Ministers - we've changed a couple lately) has ever asked from  the EU money for the construction of new detention centres. They've always said that they'll use already existing infrastructures, old military camps etc.. And the  above mentioned Funds, do fund such objectives within their projects. See also below the answer given by Malmstrom on the 30rd of May

So, it can't be "that there's no chance of funding these projects"..
It's more than obvious that Europe wants people trapped in Greece, most preferably on its (european) external borders with Turkey. They are afraid of a massive influx of migrants/refugees. That's why they always (also) remind to the greek government the risk of suspending Schengen, that's why they often visit the region to check how Greece controls its borders and implements the Schengen agreement. It's more than clear that Greece got the money (alot of money) and will get THAT money too..Do you think they can be "ungrateful to their benefactors?"...We got the RAB(b)ITS and now we'll get the carrots, as well..


I guess "yet"  below , refers to the fact that there are alot of reactions on a local level and they can't really tell which/where exactly the detention centres will be...Eu funds THE project not A project..So, the greek government has to be concrete..that apparently hasn't managed to be..YET

All the best
Bron : Katerina


http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getAllAnswers.do?reference=E-2012-003504&language=EN

Parliamentary questions
30 May 2012
E-            003504/2012    
Answer given by Ms Malmström on behalf of the Commission
1. The Commission has not yet received a complete planning for all facilities which the Greek authorities intend to establish in 2012. However, in the draft 2012 annual programme for External Borders Fund (EBF), Greece proposes an action supporting (1) the renovation of detention centre in Chios, (2) the renovation of a facility in Samos and its conversion into an initial reception centre and (3) the establishment of an initial reception centre in Athens. Under the draft 2012 annual programme for the Return Fund, Greece put forward an action expanding the available capacity of existing detention centres in the Attica region and establishing new detention centres in certain regions of the country.

In addition, the Commission received an additional request for the funding of a detention centre in Amigdaleza (Attica region) as part of the revised the 2010 EBF annual programme.

Given that the requests were submitted only recently (March and April 2012), the Commission is still examining the scope of the proposals and is awaiting additional clarifications from Greece. Only after this process is completed, the Commission will be able to assess the eligibility of the activities proposed and take a final decision on their funding.

2. The total amounts allocated to Greece under the Funds in 2012 are indicated in the Commission reply to the Parliamentary Question E‑002742/2012.

3. The Commission is examining the possibility of covering certain categories of running costs under the Return Fund.


If the EU are not funding there will be not 30 new deportation centres in Greece. At least some good news.

2013 seems a bit late for a noborder camp in Greece. In London there was a noborder convergence in February 1212 - about the same as a noborder camp, only indoors, with the advantage that there is no need to wait for the warm weather. There were actions organized during the convergence, such as a blockade of a detetion centre to stop a charter flight. Meetings and worshops were hosted by Goldsmith univeristy. Over 400 activists took part, from various countries, mainly from Northern Europe . It is a fact that the noborders movement is not so strong in Southern Europe, but there are similar networks, calling themselves antiracist and so.

Bron : Chiara Lauvergnac