N. Mitarakis: “Europe must deal decisively with the migration crisis, as some countries instrumentalize human suffering for geopolitical reasons.’’
The informal Council of Internal Affairs of the EU, which was held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, was attended by the Minister for Migration and Asylum, Mr. Notis Mitarachi.
Among the issues discussed was the progress of negotiations of the new European Migration and Asylum Pact.
In his intervention, Mr. Mitarachi pointed out “the need for Europe to deal decisively with the migration crisis, as some countries are instrumentalizing human suffering for geopolitical reasons in several parts of Europe.”
The Minister for Migration and Asylum emphasised, among other issues, that “a common policy is needed for the external dimension as well as the protection of borders. This is the responsibility of the Member States, in order to manage effective returns for those who are not entitled to international protection.”
Referring to the new Migration and Asylum Pact, Mr. Mitarachi added that “progress must be made so that the new pact is based on the principle of solidarity between Member States. The Mediterranean countries and five Aegean islands, cannot lift the burden for the whole of Europe,” said the Minister of Migration and Asylum.
On the sidelines of the Council, Mr. Mitarachi met bilaterally with the Minister of the Interior of Slovenia, Mr. Ales Hojs, the Minister for Migration of Denmark, Mr. Mattias Tesfaye, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration of Luxembourg, Mr. Jean Asselborn.
