Disillusioned migrants abandon bid to reach Greece overland from Turkey

The last of several hundred migrants who had been camped out for days in the Turkish border city of Edirne, in the hope of being allowed into Greece, left the area Thursday after EU leaders resolved to tighten the bloc's borders.

Around 500 migrants remaining from a group that at once stage numbered 2,000 left Edirne in buses laid on by the authorities, Dogan news agency reported.

Turkish police last week blocked the migrants from reaching the Greek or Bulgarian borders, which lie about 10 and 20 kilometres respectively (six and 12 miles) from Edirne.

The migrants initially refused to budge, hoping that the EU would throw open its doors, allowing them to legally enter the 28-country bloc.

But with EU members still squabbling over how to distribute 120,000 migrants -- a fraction of the number that have arrived in Europe this year -- and heavy rain pounding their camps, the protest petered out.

Around 1,500 left the area since the weekend, at the urging of the Turkish government.
The remainder were taken by bus Thursday to other cities across Turkey, Dogan reported.

Edirne emerged as a new hub on the migrant route from the Middle East to Europe this month.

On social media, it was touted as a safer alternative to the perilous crossings to Greece in overcrowded boats.

But Turkey took a firm stand in Edirne, refusing to let the migrants pass, even as thousands continue to set sail for Europe from beaches further south.

Turkey has taken in an estimated 2.2 million Syrians since 2011, more than any other country.

EU leaders agreed at a summit Wednesday to boost aid for countries neighbouring Syria that are shouldering much of the refugee burden, among other measures. They also agreed to strengthen the bloc's frontiers.
Source: AFP