Turkey Fights Against Illegal Migration Contrary To What Was Claimed By Some European Countries

ANKARA - General Staff Secretary-General Sabri Demirezen said on Friday Turkey was a country which most effectively protected its borders in its region. He said, ''Turkey fights against illegal migration with gradually increasing effectiveness contrary to what was claimed by some European countries.''
Speaking at a news briefing in General Staff headquarters, Gen. Demirezen said illegal migration from time to time caused grave incidents.
Gen. Demirezen said, ''illegal migration and human smuggling increased because of difference of economic levels among the countries, economic difficulties, opposition of people against country regimes, civil turmoil and regional crises. Thus, the issue constitutes an important agenda of public.''
Gen. Demirezen said, ''Turkey with its geography having the position of a natural bridge between Asia and Europe, is located on transit route for transportation of citizens of Asia, Middle East and Africa to European countries.''
Gen. Demirezen said Turkey was a country which most effectively protected its borders in its region and noted that, ''Turkey fights against illegal migration with increasing effectiveness contrary to what was claimed by some European countries.'' He said two articles were added to Turkish Penal Code in August 2002 and illegal migration and human smuggling were considered as crime.
As a result of measures that were taken and the studies that were launched, only 2-3 of the 15 illegal migration routes remained having connection with our country. As the number of foreigners, who were caught as entering and leaving from our country borders had been more than 95,000 in 2000, this figure gradually decreased and became around 56,000 last year.
As a result of the effective fighting carried out by our Coast Guard Command against illegal migration through sea, 1.394 foreigners were caught in 74 illegal migrations in 2003 and 24 people who organized illegal migrations were sent to legal authorities.
Gen. Demirezen said Turkey started adjustment studies with the EU regulations and practices on border administration, noting that a ''Task Force'' under the coordination of Interior Ministry and study groups were formed in 2002 aiming to determine the strategies which Turkey would cover on migration and borders with foreign countries.
Gen. Demirezen said, ''studies continue with the neighboring and source countries to sign agreements to provide return of the third country citizens who enter our country illegally.''
(AY-AÖ) 27.02.2004