Erdogan tells Greece to let migrants across border ahead of his talks with EU


President Erdogan called on Greece to ‘open the gates’ for migrants trying to reach Europe at Turkey’s border ahead of his talks with the EU on Monday.

Thousands of migrants have arrived at Turkey’s border with Greece since Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced last month that the country would no longer prevent migrants and refugees from crossing over to Europe. 

Elsewhere, a blaze ripped through a refugee centre on the Greek island of Lesbos – the second fire at an installation built for migrants after a reception centre was burned down last Monday.

Tensions have also continued to grow at the land border, where asylum seekers gathered between the Kastanies and Pazarkule border gates were today photographed throwing tear gas canisters back at Greek security forces.  

A video released by the Greek government also appears to show a Turkish armoured vehicle attempting to pull down part of the border fence with a rope, though the authenticity of the clip could not immediately be verified.  

Women asylum seekers waiting at Turkey’s Pazarkule border crossing to reach Europe stage a demonstration at the buffer zone demanding to open the gate during ‘International Women’s Day’ today

Thousands of migrants have arrived at Turkey's border with Greece after Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced earlier this month that the country would no longer prevent migrants and refugees from crossing over to Europe

Thousands of migrants have arrived at Turkey’s border with Greece after Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced earlier this month that the country would no longer prevent migrants and refugees from crossing over to Europe

‘I will have a meeting with European Union officials tomorrow in Belgium,’ President Erdogan said during a speech in Istanbul today. ‘I hope I will return from Belgium with different outcomes.’ 

Erdogan’s decision to open its borders sparked an escalating row between Ankara and Brussels, as well as a war of words between Turkey and Greece. 

The President is set to meet with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels at 5pm on Monday. 

They will ‘discuss EU-Turkey matters, including migration, security, stability in the region and the crisis in Syria,’ Michel’s spokesman, Barend Leyts, said on Twitter. 

Migrants take cover during clashes as Greek police spray water between the Kastanies border gate, Greece and the Pazarkule border gate, Turkey

Migrants take cover during clashes as Greek police spray water between the Kastanies border gate, Greece and the Pazarkule border gate, Turkey

Migrants throw stones as Greek police spray water through the Kastanies border gate to migrants waiting on the other side

Migrants throw stones as Greek police spray water through the Kastanies border gate to migrants waiting on the other side

Pictured: A demonstration by female asylum seekers who are waiting at Turkey's Pazarkule border crossing to reach Europe

Pictured: A demonstration by female asylum seekers who are waiting at Turkey’s Pazarkule border crossing to reach Europe

In 2016, Turkey and the EU agreed a deal whereby Brussels would provide billions of euros in aid in exchange for Turkish authorities curbing the flow of migrants.

But Ankara has repeatedly accused the EU of not fulfilling promises made as Europe suffered its worst refugee crisis since the Second World War.

During the same televised speech, Erdogan urged Greece to open its border after clashes in recent days between migrants and Greek police.

‘Hey Greece! I appeal to you… open the gates as well and be free of this burden,’ he said, adding: ‘Let them go to other European countries.’

President Erdogan called on Greece to 'open the gates' for migrants trying to reach Europe at Turkey's border ahead of his talks with the EU on Monday

President Erdogan called on Greece to ‘open the gates’ for migrants trying to reach Europe at Turkey’s border ahead of his talks with the EU on Monday

Women covering their faces after being hit by tear gas used by Greek security forces to disperse asylum seekers in the region between the Kastanies and the Pazarkule border gates

Women covering their faces after being hit by tear gas used by Greek security forces to disperse asylum seekers in the region between the Kastanies and the Pazarkule border gates

A father and his daughter flee from tear gas as they wait at the land border between Greece and Turkey on Sunday

A father and his daughter flee from tear gas as they wait at the land border between Greece and Turkey on Sunday

Thousands of asylum seekers have flocked to Turkey's Edirne province which borders Greece and Bulgaria to make their way to Europe

Thousands of asylum seekers have flocked to Turkey’s Edirne province which borders Greece and Bulgaria to make their way to Europe

Thousands of migrants have amassed on the country’s land border with Greece after Turkey said last month it would no longer prevent people from leaving the country.

In the speech, Erdogan also criticised the West’s silence after Greek authorities used tear gas and water cannon during skirmishes with migrants at the border crossing.

On Sunday, a fire ripped through a refugee centre on the Greek island of Lesbos amid growing tensions over a surge in migration from Turkey.  

It was the second fire at an installation built for migrants after a reception centre was burned down by unknown perpetrators last Monday.

Elsewhere, a blaze ripped through a refugee centre on the Greek island of Lesbos - the second fire at an installation built for migrants after a reception centre was burned down last Monday

Elsewhere, a blaze ripped through a refugee centre on the Greek island of Lesbos – the second fire at an installation built for migrants after a reception centre was burned down last Monday

The warehouse, which contained furniture and electrical appliances, was destroyed but there were thought to be no injuries, a firefighting service spokesman said

The warehouse, which contained furniture and electrical appliances, was destroyed but there were thought to be no injuries, a firefighting service spokesman said

A volunteer stands with fireman in the burnt facilities of the school for refugee children, part of the 'One Happy Family' NGO's project on the island of Lesbos

A volunteer stands with fireman in the burnt facilities of the school for refugee children, part of the ‘One Happy Family’ NGO’s project on the island of Lesbos

The warehouse, which contained furniture and electrical appliances, was destroyed but there were thought to be no injuries, a firefighting service spokesman said.

At the border with Turkey, Greece has deployed riot police and border guards to repel people trying to enter the country.

The border has since seen violent confrontations between migrants and security forces, with officers in Greece firing tear gas to block the migrants and Turkish police firing tear gas back at their Greek counterparts.

On Saturday, youths threw rocks at Greek police and tried to break down a border fence in a desperate attempt enter Greece. At least two migrants were injured in the skirmishes. 

Greek security forces use tear gas to disperse asylum seekers in the region between the Kastanies and the Pazarkule border gates

Greek security forces use tear gas to disperse asylum seekers in the region between the Kastanies and the Pazarkule border gates

At the border with Turkey, Greece has deployed riot police and border guards to repel people trying to enter the country

At the border with Turkey, Greece has deployed riot police and border guards to repel people trying to enter the country