The Minister of Migration and Asylum Mr. Notis Mitarachi had a meeting, today in Berlin, with the Minister of Interior of Germany Mrs. Nancy Faeser.
Mr. Mitarachi and Mrs. Faeser, discussed issues related to bilateral cooperation, developments in the Ukrainian crisis and the ongoing negotiations regarding the new Migration and Asylum Pact.
In particular, regarding the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, the two Ministers agreed on the need for a common EU response to the influx of refugees arriving in Member States and welcomed the activation of the temporary protection mechanism, decided last week.
At the same time, Mr. Mitarachi and Mrs. Faeser, agreed on the implementation - in the coming weeks - of a bilateral cooperation program between Greece and Germany, for the integration of beneficiaries of international protection living in Greece. No issue will be raised, whatsoever, of the return of those already in Germany under this Agreement, since the program will assist the existing programs of the National Migration Strategy implemented by the government.
Regarding the negotiation process of the new Migration and Asylum Pact, Mr. Mitarachi and Mrs. Faeser, agreed that a balance between responsibility and solidarity is necessary, in order to find sustainable solutions for a common European asylum system. On that topic, the Minister of Migration and Asylum noted, that the reality created by the recent Ukrainian crisis will inevitably affect the negotiations.Finally, on the issue of protection of the EU's external borders, Mr. Mitarachi pointed out the need for their effective protection, a position that was also accepted by Ms. Nancy Faeser.
