Afghanistan Plans To Open Embassy In Greece

Afghanistan will open an embassy in Greece within a few months to help deal with the tens of thousands of Afghan illegal migrants there, an official said Sunday. Greece is the main entry point into Europe for migrants from across the Middle East and North Africa, including Algerians, Pakistanis, Somalis and Iraqis as well as Afghans. Afghan Foreign Ministry spokesman Janan Musazai said the new embassy in Athens should be open by the end of March. Kabul will close its embassy in Bulgaria at the same time, he said. About 50,000 Afghans illegally enter Greece each year, Musazai said. Most are seeking a better life in the European Union and choose Greece because of its porous land border with Turkey. But many are either caught and jailed or find themselves stranded.
(08.01.2012) NPR
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