Turkey has announced plans to build an 8.5-kilometer-long wall along its border with Greece, marking the country’s first major physical security measure on its western frontier.
The decision was revealed by Edirne Governor Yunus Sezer during a press briefing on security, public order, and border management held on Tuesday.
Governor Sezer emphasized that the project is part of broader efforts to enhance border security, prevent illegal crossings, and strengthen patrol routes. “For the first time on the western border, we will have taken physical security measures,” he stated. “We will start from the Greek border and will continue according to the situation in the future. The wall will initially span 8.5 kilometers, depending on available funding.”
Sezer highlighted the recent improvements in Turkey’s border security infrastructure. “Last year, we completed the enhancement of 325 kilometers of border roads. This year, with support from the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defense, we are focusing on installing electro-optical towers and additional security measures,” he said.
“We have finalized the patrol routes and initiated a tender for the construction of fences and walls, similar to those in the eastern provinces,” Sezer added, referring to the considerable infrastructure erected along its borders to Iran and Syria.
Its efforts to keep migrants out of Europe pale in significance, however, with attempts to protect its own borders with existing border walls to the east spanning over 1,000 kilometers.
While the initial construction will cover 8.5 kilometers, Sezer indicated that the project could be extended further along the border in the coming years. “This year’s target is to establish the first section of the wall, but additional security structures will follow, depending on future assessments,” he said.
The governor also reported a significant decline in illegal migration attempts through Edirne. “Our province is no longer a primary route for irregular migration,” he stated, noting a 93 percent decrease in migrant activity compared to last year.
Additionally, he highlighted intensified operations against human smugglers, which have contributed to the reduction in illegal crossings.
In September last year, the Greek government also reaffirmed its commitment to extending its own border fence with Turkey, despite objections from the European Commission and a refusal from Brussels to help fund the project.
Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis had previously made it clear that the fence would be built regardless of whether EU funding is secured, stating, “The new fence will be built with or without the European Union.”
The construction of the fence began in 2012 and has since been expanded using national funds.
Amid escalating conflicts in the Middle East, Athens resubmitted a request to the EU for financial support to further extend the fence.
The request, however, was swiftly declined by Brussels, which reiterated its opposition to financing physical barriers such as fences and called for “more intelligent solutions.”
“Member states must protect the EU’s external borders. They are in the best position to decide how to achieve this in practice, in a way that is fully in line with the EU acquis (body of law), including respect for fundamental rights,” a Commission spokesperson said in response.