Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met with the European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, at Maximos Mansion.
During the meeting, the priority of implementing the new Pact on Migration and Asylum was discussed, specifically the issue of returns, but also agreements with third countries on returns.
The Prime Minister stressed that the authorities in eastern Libya must take action to reduce the flows to Greece, so as to prevent the establishment of a new migration route. He expressed his appreciation for the European Commission’s efforts in this direction, as Mr. Brunner will visit Libya on July 8, accompanied by the Ministers of Migration of Greece, Italy, and Malta.
At the beginning of the meeting, the Prime Minister and the Commissioner had the following dialogue:
Kyriakos Mitsotakis: It was pretty tiring, the double Summit, NATO and then the EUCO. But I think it was constructive, and I think it was also constructive vis-a-vis topics regarding migration. I think there is a broader support for your agenda and the agenda of the President of the Commission, renewed focus on returns, which, of course, is also for us an important topic vis-a-vis our relationship with Turkey, and better management of the external challenges, especially in the Central and the Eastern Mediterranean.
I know you’re going to Libya, and this is an important visit for us. We’ve seen over the past months significant pressure on the eastern Libya – southern Crete route, and this is a problem that we absolutely need to contain. We’re going to do our part in making sure that we work with the Libyan authorities to ensure that these boats don’t even leave the Libyan Coast.
Thank you so much for being here.
Magnus Brunner: Thanks very much. Thanks for your time, first of all. Thanks for the great cooperation we have, because that’s really a key. You were mentioning the topics. It’s migration, of course, illegal migration, which we have to fight, finding legal pathways, of course, as well, and what Greece does to protect our common borders, actually. It’s not just a Greek border, it’s a European Union border. We are very grateful, of course, on what you’re doing there.
When it comes to Libya, as you mentioned, we’re going to travel to Libya next week together with your Minister and the Italian minister and the Maltese Minister, because it’s a Team Europe approach. I think that is important, to show that we are united.
We’ve got a couple of legislations coming up and discussed also on a European level, like the implementation of the Pact of Asylum and Migration. I think it’s a very good basis we have. It’s not perfect, nothing is perfect in that respect. But there were also some missing pieces like returns regulation, as you mentioned, a safe third country concept which is also, I think, key when it comes to fighting illegal migration. So a lot to do. I’m very happy that we’re such good partners on a European level.
Thank you very much.
