“We are not over with the problem,” the Minister of Immigration and Asylum noted, Thanos Plevris referring to migratory and the latest developments in Crete. At the same time commented on the criticism that the government by parties located more right of ND by referring to Aphrodite Latinopoulou.
In particular, he stressed that “Ms 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 expressing harsh lines. ”
In the last 20 days, flows have been significantly limited, around to 600 people in totalwhile in the recent past we had even reached the 1,000 arrivals per day. The decision to suspend asylum was taken within such emergency. The weather has partially played a role as the Libyan Sea It is difficult and unpredictable but the substance is different: the message has been sent that no asylum applications are no longer given and those who enter are automatically in detention status. This is transmitted as information and acts as a deterrent, “Mr Plevris said of arrivals of illegal immigrants in the country.
For contacts with Libya and Egyptian authorities noted that ‘continuous diplomatic pressure on the Libyain order to enhance its response to issues before departure ships. ” Explained that ‘there is constant cooperation with Egypt, which protects the her borderhowever, many Egyptians arrive via Libya. East Libya is close to Cretewhile 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, “Mr Plevris said.
Government’s strategy
Referring to the government strategy, he explained that “if the message is that” we have been open and waiting for you “, these three million people from Libya will have no reason to stay there. To Copenhagen The need for a new management model, based on the creation of hosting or detention structures in third countries such as Libya, Egypt and Tunisia, has been discussed. These structures will be funded by the European Unionwith compensatory benefits for countries that manage. This is a strategy that we have to develop with seriousness and realism. ” The Minister of Immigration and Asylum also referred to the new legislative framework, explaining that “asylum is already being suspended as an extraordinary measure. At the same time, a bill was filed with strict arrangements: Anyone who enters the country without a license faces a prison sentence from two to five years or a return. With this frame, it will grow targeted campaign Information in 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 prohibition in Europe and deprivation of every right. “
“Electronic surveillance measure will be implemented for those who lose the right to stay,” said Thanos Plevris, referring to electronic surveillance and returns of illegal immigrants. “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 put on Administrative detention. The aim is to apply European legislation and the protection of border with complete consistency, “he said.
For the quarter suspension of asylum He pointed out 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 It 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 flow. “
“Our initiatives put some political spaces in a difficult position”
He also talked about criticism from parties to the right of the ND. In particular, he said that “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 in the rhetoric. “