Greece will review its policy of providing asylum to migrants, the country's Citizen Protection Ministry said on Friday.
Starting in 2010, it is planned that independent expert groups will take part in considering asylum applications, while the role of the police will be minimized.
"These measures will help to rapidly integrate immigrants into Greek society," Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chrysohoidis said.
"The policy of providing asylum will change drastically," he said, adding applications would be "considered and dealt with quickly."
The Greek authorities have been criticized by international organizations for their reluctance to provide asylum to applicants. Of 20,000 applications, less than 400 were granted in 2008. In previous years, only a few dozen immigrants were given asylum.
Besides, Greece in 2008 withdrew the right of migrants to appeal against a deportation order.
United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon criticized Greece's asylum policies during his visit to Athens for the third Global Forum on Migration and Development in early November.
At the forum, new Greek Prime Minister George Papandreou announced a series of measures aimed at the integration of immigrants into Greek society.
Illegal immigration has significantly increased in Greece over the past few years. In 2008, about 150,000 people were detained at the border while trying to illegally enter the country.
ATHENS, November 27 (RIA Novosti)
