Amid debate over Greek border barrier, Papandreou visits Turkey

Amid debate over Athens' plans to build a barrier along its border with Turkey in a bid to stop the flow of illegal immigrants, Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou is visiting Erzurum, Turkey to attend an annual meeting of Turkish diplomats. Greece's plans to push back illegal migrants on a 12.5-kilometer stretch of the border are expected to be discussed in detail by Papandreou and Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Athens argues that it has a duty to protect the rights of its citizens and legal residents. Acknowledging the sovereign right of every country to take measures to protect its borders, Turkey, however, has dismissed claims that it has failed to stop illegal human trafficking to Greece via Turkish territory. Papandreou's visit follows Erdogan's attendance at a climate change conference in Athens last October. In return, Papandreou accepted Erdogan's invitation to visit the ski resort in Palandoken, Erzurum, accompanied by his foreign minister. Papandreou is also set to address the gathering of Turkish ambassadors.