“The weather has partially played a role, as the Libyan Sea is difficult and unpredictable.”
The Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Thanos Plevrisreiterated that the problem of his migratory It remains open, while commenting on recent developments in Crete. Referring to the criticism of the government by political parties moving to the right of ND, he specifically referred to the Aphrodite Latinopoulou.
«Mrs Latinopoulou with what we will do will start barking a little further. I understand that our initiatives are in a difficult position some of some political spaces that until recently thought they were to express harsh lines, “he said, speaking to Action24.
In the last twenty -day period, arrivals of illegal immigrants have fallen sharply, reaching about 600 people in total, while up to 1,000 arrivals were recorded in earlier times. The decision to suspend asylum was taken within this crucial emergency framework. As Mr. Plevris explained, “The weather has partially played a role, as the Libyan Sea is difficult and unpredictable, but the essence is different: it has been sent to the message that no asylum applications are now being given and those who enter are automatically in detention. This is transmitted as information and acts as a deterrent».
Concerning the diplomatic contacts, the minister said that “there is a continuous diplomatic pressure on Libya to strengthen its response to intercepts prior to departure ships”. At the same time he stressed the cooperation with Egypt, noting that “eastern Libya is near Crete, while western Libya is closest to Italy. Therefore, the direction of the flow depends on the departure point. “
«Our goal is to effectively prevent all fronts. There are about 3 million immigrants in Libya today and about 5 million in Egypt. So one understands the pressure that can be exerted in Europe“, He said.
Regarding the government’s strategy, Mr Plevris stressed that if the message was given “We have opened and waiting for you“, Then millions of immigrants from Libya will have no reason to stay there. Copenhagen discussed the need for a new management model, which provides for the creation of hosting or detention structures in third countries such as Libya, Egypt and Tunisia. “These structures will be funded by the European Union, with compensatory benefits for management countries. This is a strategy that we have to develop with seriousness and realism, “he explained.
For the new legislative framework, he noted that ‘asylum is already being implemented as an extraordinary measure“And he added that” a bill was filed with strict arrangements: Anyone who enters the country without permission faces a prison sentence from two to five years or a return. In this context, a targeted information campaign will be developed in the countries of origin. Through social media and other channels, those who are thinking of passing will know beforehand that illegal entry entails imprisonment, expulsion, ten -year ban on entry into Europe and deprivation of any rights».
About electronic surveillanceThe Minister explained: “An electronic surveillance measure will be implemented for those who lose the right to stay. Instead of being lost without returning, they will have an obligation to leave within 14 days. Otherwise, they will face prison sentence. Alternatively, they will be made in administrative detention. The aim is to apply European legislation and to protect border with complete consistency. “
Citing the three -month asylum suspensionHe stressed that “European rules provide for harsh measures in excellent circumstances. We substantiate the particularity of flow from North Africa, it is not a stable, normal migratory flow, but of a co -existent, extraordinary pressure. The Libyan Sea allows flows only a few months of the year, and these months are the ones we are going through. That is why the measure is limited and will be re -evaluated, depending on the flows. “
Finally, he reiterated his comment on the criticism of the government from political spaces to the right of the ND: “Ms Latinopoulou, with what we will do, will start barking a little further. I understand that our initiatives are in a difficult position some political spaces that until recently thought they were expressing harsh lines. But today the government is decisively proceeding: prison sentence or return, no future legitimacy, allowance cut, closed centers outside the EU. These are practical, realistic political solutions. The question is: Will these parties agree or disagree? Our responsibility is to implement policies and not to be enough to rhetoric. “