Clear that there can be no reliable migratory System without operational return mechanisms appeared the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridisin his placement at the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Cartem Procedure, in Cairo of Egypt.
The Greek minister stressed that management of immigration requires a comprehensive, realistic and decisive approach. As he pointed out, returns are a key pillar of not only the effectiveness, but also the credibility of the European Framework for Migration and Asylum.
In this context, he made a special reference to the importance of legal and organized immigration, arguing that the Greek -Egyptian agreement should become a model of bilateral cooperation. As he made clear, the positive side of immigration is based on legality, control and mutual benefit. “There is no tolerance for the illegal practices of traffickers,” Makis Voridis added.
“Greece consistently supports the strategy of returns and welcomes the fact that both the Ministerial Declaration of Cairo and the Action Plan raise this issue at the center,” he continued, calling on states to strengthen cooperation between them.
Referring to the new European Pact for Migration and Asylum, Minister of Migration and Asylum He stated the need for a balanced approach, with a fair distribution of responsibilities and the effective guarding of external borders. At the same time, he emphasized that the external dimension of the pact must acquire meaningful and practical content, through enhanced cooperation with countries of origin and transit. “Europe needs less words and more action. The partnerships must be binding and measurable – not general declarations with no result, “he said.
On the sidelines of the Conference, Mr Voridis had significant bilateral contacts with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, the Deputy Foreign Minister and Migration Ambassador Nabil Habashi, the Minister of Labor, Mohamed Gobran, as well as the Commissioner for the Internal Affairs and the Magnus Commissioner, Brunner. The central issue of discussions was the enhancement of the implementation of the Hellenic Egyptian Mobility Agreement, with an emphasis on the employment of Egyptian workers in Greece – in particular in the areas of agricultural production and fishing, and it was agreed to expand in the field of construction. At the same time, it was agreed to boost coordination to increase the rate of return of illegal immigrants. The minister officially addressed his Egyptian counterpart to visit Athens.
Mr. Voridis was accompanied by the Deputy Minister of Migration and Asylum, Sevi Voloudakis, and the Secretary General of Migration Policy, Manos Logothetis.