N. Mitarachi: "Greece is following with particular attention the developments in Afghanistan, reiterating that our country will not be a gateway for flows of illegal migrants to Europe and will continue to follow the policy of protecting decisively the external borders of the EU”.
The Minister of Migration and Asylum, Mr. Mitarachimet today with the Ambassadors to Greece of the 26 EU member states, as well as the associated Schengen states (Switzerland, Norway). The meeting took place on the initiative of the Slovenian Ambassador to Athens Mr. Matjaž Longarwhose country holds the EU Presidency, this semester.
The Minister for Migration and Asylum presented to the European Ambassadors the latest developments in the management of migration in Greece, emphasizing the continuation of the positive course in areas such as the number of arrivals, the acceleration of asylum procedures and the improvement of reception conditions, while informing them about the new closed controlled access center, in Samos.
The Mr. Mitarachi, stated:
“Greece is following with particular attention the developments in Afghanistan, reiterating that our country will not be a gateway for flows of illegal migrants to Europe and will continue to follow the policy of protecting decisively the external borders of the EU. ’Ιn order to address the threat of mass migration flows from Afghanistan, Europe must move in a coordinated and decisive manner, providing the necessary support to Afghanistan's neighbors and transit countries such as Turkey, so as to meet the challenges posed by a possible mass exodus of Afghans from their country.’’
The Minister for Migration and Asylum Mr. Mitarachi also noted:
‘’Greece as well as the whole of Europe cannot allow the instrumentalization of migration flows from third countries for geopolitical reasons and reiterated our country's support in other Member States that have, like Greece in the past, face similar situation, as Lithuania did recently”.
The Minister for Migration and Asylum and the European Ambassadors, also discussed the ongoing negotiations on the new European Migration and Asylum Pact, with Mr. Mitarachi reiterating the country's key position in favor of a new fair and resilient system, that will guarantee a balance between the obligations of the front-line Member States and the necessary solidarity on the part of all.
These positions are promoted jointly within the group of the five Mediterranean front-line Member States, whose Ministers of Interior and Migration are to meet for the second time, after the Athens Meeting, in Spain on 24-25 September, in order to continue coordinating their efforts to promote their common positions, concerns and priorities.
