The deployment of European border guard forces under Greek command was launched on Tuesday in the northeast Evros region along the river border with Turkey, following an official request by the Greek government.

The Frontex Rapid Border Intervention Teams (RABITs) will be briefed by Greek authorities upon their arrival in the Orestiada municipality, focusing on the EU and national legislation provisions concerning migration inflow and illegal migration, legal issues -- use of weapons and handcuffs, arrests, etc. -- as well as the geography of the 12.5 km-long river bank along which they will be deployed.

The RABITs will patrol the region together with Greek forces to help curb illegal migration. The European border guards will be under the command and coordination of Greek authorities, bear their countries’ insignias and use their weapons only in self-defence.

They will move into designated regions defined in an already approved operational plan. The deployment of the 175-member team and their equipment (including vehicles, thermal cameras etc) will serve as a deterrent against illegal immigrants streaming over from Turkey, a problem that has assumed explosive dimensions in the specific region.

The EU gave the green light to the deployment following a request by Citizen Protection Minister Christos Papoutsis. A new action plan prepared by the Greek government in an effort to tackle migration inflow was presented to the responsible EU bodies as early as Sept. 15 and was met with a positive response.

“The migration flow along our national borders is very intense. Our country cannot be left alone to cope with a phenomenon which is European and not regional. As such, it calls for European solutions and coordination,” Papoutsis told ANA-MPA. referring to the illegal migration problem.

“The RABITs deployment along the Evros River brings Europe to its borders. This was a political goal that was met. Aside from that, we are sending messages to the international community, the countries from which the migration flow originates, as well as, to Turkey, of which we expect greater cooperation in dealing with the international ring of migrant smugglers that trade on the migrants’ hope for a better life,” Papoutsis said.