Athens Pledges to Solve Problem of Ukrainian Illegal Workers

Greece has promised Ukraine to soon solve the problem of Ukrainian citizens working illegally on its territory, reports Interfax-Ukraine. According to Greek Foreign Minister Georgios Papandreu, who met with his Ukrainian counterpart Anatoly Zlenko to discuss “an array of issues” related to this problem, while “work on it is underway.” Its end result can be the signing of a corresponding bilateral agreement between Greece and Ukraine. This document is expected to give Ukrainians better access to the legal labor market of Greece, social security, medical care, and education. According to the Greek minister, the immigrant influx of recent years has brought about a 10% increase in the population of Greece. He stressed, however, that Greece welcomes this trend. “Ukrainians’ entry into the social life of Greece only enriches it,” said Mr. Papandereu. For his part Mr. Zlenko recalled that Ukraine is currently in talks with Spanish and Portuguese authorities on the same issues.