Mitsotakis: Important pressure on Crete, to take action by Libya – Commissioner for Migration: We are grateful for guarding European borders

The priority of implementing the new Pact for Migration and Asylum, and in particular the issue of returns, as well as agreements with third countries on returns, was raised by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at a meeting in Maximus today with the European Commissioner of Internal Affairs and Migration.

The prime minister emphasized that the Eastern Libyan authorities must take action to reduce flows to Greece in order not to consolidate a new migratory route. He also expressed his assessment of the European Commission’s mobilization in this direction, as Mr Brunner will visit Libya on July 8, accompanied by the Ministers of Migration of Greece, Italy and Malta.

For his part, the European Commissioner stressed that illegal immigration should be addressed “and what Greece is doing to protect our common borders, in fact, not only Greek borders, it is the European Union borders. We are very grateful, of course, for what you do in this area. “

Mitsotaki-Bruner dialogue

Kyriakos Mitsotakis: NATO’s double summit, and then of the European Council, was quite tiring. However, I think it was constructive, and I believe it was constructive and on immigration related issues. I believe that there is wider support for your agenda and the agenda of the European Commission President, with an emphasis on returns, which has been re -tuned -which is also an important issue for us in terms of our relations with Turkey -and better management of external challenges, especially in the central and central challenges.

I know you will go to Libya and this is an important visit to us. In recent months we have found significant pressure on the route between East Libya and Southern Crete, and this is a problem that we must definitely undergo control. We will do what we do, working with the Libyan authorities to ensure that these vessels do not even depart from the Libyan coast.

Thank you very much for your presence here.

Magnus Brunner: Thank you very much. First of all, thanks for your time. Thanks for the great cooperation we have, because this is really the key. Mention the issues. It is, of course, the illegal immigration, which we must fight, of course, to find legal paths. And what Greece is doing to protect our common borders, indeed, is not only Greek borders, it is the border of the European Union. We are very grateful, of course, for what you do in this area.

As for Libya, as you said, we will travel to Libya next week with your Minister, Italian Minister and Maltese Minister as part of the “Europe Group” approach. I believe this is important to show that we are united.

Some legislative interventions at European level are and discussed and discussed, such as the implementation of the Immigration and Asylum. I think we have a very good base. It’s not perfect, nothing is perfect in this respect. But there are also some pieces, such as the regulation on returns, as you mentioned, the concept of safe third country, which is also I believe, especially important when it comes to combating illegal immigration. Therefore, there is a lot we have to do and I am very happy to be so good partners at European level.

Thank you very much.