Open Access#12017
EU Hotspot Approach and EU-Turkey Statement in Greece: Implementing a return policy? A legal perspective: Schwerpunktwoche Herbsttagung Netzwerk Migrationsrecht 2017
With the entry into force of the EU-Turkey Statement on 20 March 2016, the political purpose of the EU Hotspots in Greece has been overhauled completely. Originally, EU Hotspots had been presented as a mechanism to implement the EU Relocation Program. Since 20 March 2016 however, the main purpose is the implementation of the return policy. The fast-track border procedure – applied in the EU Hotspots by Greek authorities with support by the European Asylum Support Office – is thus characterized by a preliminary admissibility procedure assessing whether Turkey can be considered as "safe third country".
