Kathimerini: Bulgaria, Albania Take Action Fearing Refugee Influx

Bulgaria and Albania are beefing up security along their border with Greece in fear that "thousands of refugees may show up at their doorstep," Greek daily Kathimerini writes.

The development follows the "official" closure of the so-called Western Balkans route for migrants crossing into Europe from Turkey and heading further west to Germany.

Bulgarian officials are quoted as saying a fence will be built if migratory pressure persists, while Albania is to hold joint military border patrols with Italy which has said it will lend a helping hand, Kathimerini explains.

Italy for its part has suggested the Adriatic Sea might be used as an alternative route by migrants, even though there are no indications as of the moment.

Some 42 000 migrants are currently though to be stranded across Greece, with over a third of them packed in camps in the country's north, near the border with Macedonia.

Balkan Insight quotes Albania's Deputy Interior Minister Elona Gjebrea as telling a local TV station that negotiations are taking place with Greece on possible scenarios.

Tirana has also authorized intensified patrols along the Albanian-Greek border.