At the meeting of Ministers of Migration and Internal Affairs of the five Member States of the Med5 (Greece, Italy, Spain, Cyprus, Malta), which took place on April 11 and 12 in Naples, Italy, was attended by the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Mr. Makis Voridis.
At the heart of the debate were the implementation of the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, the external dimension of immigration policy, and the crucial issue of returns. Mr. Voridis stressed that “The effective return of those who are not entitled to international protection is a one -way street to restore logic to Europe’s migration system” He also stressed that “failure to deal with illegal immigration causes a deep absurdity”, as at the same time that countries as Greece needs legal labor, they do not manage to attract workers through legal channels, nor to prevent and effectively return those who enter.
The Minister of Immigration and Asylum expressed the Greece’s full support in the joint statement adopted by the Ministerspointing out the need to adopt measures even before its official establishment. “Returns – voluntary and forced – are the only way to obtain the migration system of cohesion and efficiency. It is the prerequisite for the asylum system to function properly, “said Mr. Voridis.
Finally, Mr. Voridis also stressed the importance of creation of legal, credible channels for the work of immigrantsnoting that “this dual path – preventing illegal immigration and enhancing legal – is the only realistic strategy against a European challenge that requires common, decisive solutions.”
See photos from the MED5 Summit
