Ivanov explains FYROM border fence strategy

The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) is building a fence on its border with Greece to create a “single entry point” for refugees and migrants, and not because it intends to close the border, according to the neighboring country’s president, Gjorge Ivanov.

FYROM started construction on a fence a few days ago, prompting concern that thousands of migrants would become trapped on the Greek side of the border, at the village of Idomeni.

Ivanov, however, told a group of journalists from Greece and FYROM that Skopje would continue to send back to Greece any migrants that are expelled from its northern neighbors.

Skopje recently returned some 300 Iranian migrants to Idomeni under the refoulement procedure after failing to grant them asylum.

“If we see northern European countries doing it, we will follow suit,” Ivanov said during the event organized by Columbia University.