Roundup: Greece beefs up security measures, calls for comprehensive terror response

Greek government officials announced Greece is beefing up security measures after the Paris terror attacks.

"Greece is a safe country compared to others," Deputy Public Order Minister Nikos Toskas assured, stressing fear mongering is as harmful as complacency.

Greek government officials and local political analysts noted Greece traditionally has good relations with the Arab world, has not participated in military interventions in the Middle East and has received refugees and migrants despite its economic problems.

Nevertheless, in the light of the Paris attacks, Greece has increased its security measures continuing the "excellent cooperation" with French and other European authorities, he said this week, confirming two terrorists involved in the Nov. 13 tragedy passed through Leros island posing as Syrian refugees in October.

The identification process of incoming refugees and migrants on the Greek islands has become more thorough and security has been increased around embassies of certain countries, companies and public spaces, according to the Greek minister.

Greek police sources said Athens was in constant collaboration with French and other authorities and has placed under surveillance or investigated an unclear number of "persons of interest" who may have ties to extremists.

However, security measures alone cannot resolve the threat of terrorism, a security expert told Xinhua in Athens, suggesting a comprehensively addressing the source of the problem.

The erection of walls across the continent is not the answer to the threat of extremist violence, Mary Bossis, associate professor of International Security at the University of Pireaus and one of Greece's foremost experts on terrorism and counter terrorism, told Xinhua.

As a transit country for huge numbers of refugees and migrants trying to reach more prosperous European countries, theoretically Greece will be constantly under threat, she explained.

"This does not mean that there is any chance that the threat will be materialized sooner or later," she stressed.

Bossis noted that the closure of borders in neighboring countries will undoubtedly increase tensions in a country which is already struggling to overcome an acute economic crisis. Greece cannot accommodate such enormous numbers of refugees and migrants.

Abolishing the Schengen treaty, stricter border controls, construction of fences and the increase of racist attacks by far-right extremists is not the appropriate answer for a Europe feeling threatened by extremist militancy, Bossis said.

For an effective resolution, the problems should be addressed at their roots, the Greek analyst underlined.

"But at this moment, I am afraid this is wishful thinking," she said. Endit