Table 8. Purchases under External Borders Fund Annual Programs 2011-2012 Description Units x Price (est.) Total Cost Portable thermal cameras 20 x 50,000 1,000,000 Vans equipped with X-ray system 3 x 850,000 2,550,000 4x4 vehicles 150 x 30,000 4,500,000 Police dogs 44 x 3,635 160,000 Patrol Boats71 8 x 59,375 475,000 or thermal cameras and radar system The policy is also not cost-effective given Greek geography, which makes the country vulnerable through different border areas (land and sea). Looking at the figures, then the aforementioned measures are fairly expensive and require large investments across multiple border areas to be truly effective, since every time flows shift, so must resources. Policy Recommendations If Greece's primary policy objective is to reduce its irregular migrant population by deterring irregular arrivals, then there are alternative tools available such as awareness-raising campaigns. Awareness-raising campaigning was a project that was initially announced by the authorities, but appears to have been subsequently abandoned in favor of other priorities. Officers can be appointed in Greece's diplomatic services abroad, and create special focal points or film documentaries that will inform potential travelers of the Greek and the wider EU system on migration. In many cases, third-country nationals who escape poverty, rely on the information provided by smuggling networks that promise a Europe of opportunity and a better life in northern-European countries. There is often little awareness that an irregular migrant can hardly hope to regularize his/her stay and legitimately work in Europe. Given that very often an irregular migrant has been deeply indebted to the facilitator, by the time he/she has reached the EU external borders, there is little chance that he/she will decide to turn back simply because Greece has erected a fence. In fact, entry will be achieved after repeated efforts. Cost- 71 refers to maritime borders Page 34