The head of one of Greece’s biggest chambers of commerce on Wednesday warned of the serious consequences emanating from the ongoing refugee crisis plaguing Greece, in a letter sent to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras.
Constantine Mihalos, the president of the Athens Chamber of Commerce and Industry (EBEA), referred directly to the continuing interruption of rail service between Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (fYRoM), due to groups of Mideast refugees and migrants occupying the tracks at the Idomeni border post.
The third country nationals have demanded “open borders” throughout Europe in a bid to reach preferred destinations in western and northern Europe, primarily Germany. The neighboring government in Skopje last month closed its border to the transit of refugees, heading from Greece through fYRoM towards Serbia and beyond.
The specific rail line serves as a major route for products and cargo shipped to Europe via the port of Piraeus.
Mihalos warned that the continuing interruption damages Greek companies' credibility in overseas markets. He also said that dignified living conditions must be ensured for refugees currently stranded in Greece.
