Greece could face a sudden influx of refugees and immigrants, not from the east but from the rest of Europe, following a decision by the EU that allows the EU28 member states to send back to Greece migrants that have applied for asylum.

Greek authorities examined on Friday the asylum application of one of the eight Turkish soldiers whose extradition has been formally requested by Turkey, on the claim that they took part in the failed coup attempt last month.

Cyprus accepted 1,215 individuals under asylum status for 2014, as confirmed by the EU statistical agency Eurostat.