FYROM builds 10ft razor fence along border with Greece ahead of spring refugee influx

Express — A 10-foot high, razor-topped fence along FYROM’s border with Greece is nearing completion. The fence is “a first line of defence” against the thousands of refugees arriving into Europe via the Balkans every day.

The fence, which started at the end of November, is due to be completed in the next few weeks, “will ensure that all people entering Europe through FYROM will be documented and go through the proper channels”.

It will prioritise refugees from war-torn countries such as Iraq, Syria and Afghanistant over economic migrants.

Migrants clash with police

There were violent clashes between migrants and police at the FYROM border in November

Macedonian fence

Armed guards from six Eastern European countries are currently involved in helping FYROM shore up its southern border.

The fence is modeled on a similar barrier in Hungary, which has been calling for other states to do more to guard their borders.

Migrants in Macedonia

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said: “No-one except us Hungarians protected their external Schengen borders.

“I think the next line of defence that we need [is] to build up lines on the northern border of Greece.”

The Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico is sending police officers down to FYROM to help manage the border until the fence is completed.

He said: “We are ready to help other countries on a bilateral level or as part of international cooperation.

“We are worried what will happen in the first spring months, if the U.N. estimates are right, the influx of migrants will be bigger than we have seen so far.”