Greece begun this week the construction of the new fence at the border with Turkey along the Evros River, a project aimed at stopping illegal immigration into the country.
The 5-meter (16.4 foot) tall fence with a total length of 27 km (16.7 miles) and eight observation towers is being erected at the area of Ferres, at the southern part of the border region.
The area is difficult to police because the Evros River does not function as a natural border, since some Turkish territory extends west of the river bank.
With a total budget of 62.9 million euros, the project has been undertaken by a consortium of four construction companies.
Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis said last week that Greece plans to hire additional border guards in an effort “to shield the region from illegal migration and crime.”
“Our priority is to zero influx,” he said, and referred to a “a very big operational effort” in the Evros border region which has been bolstered with electronic surveillance equipment and the hiring of an additional 400 guards.
“We are building the fence in Evros, a one-of-a-kind project that will further shield our country,” he added.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is expected to officially inaugurate the works for the fence this weekend.