The Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration of the EU, Ylva Johansson after her meeting with the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Dimitris Kairides, on the sidelines of the Council of Justice and Internal Affairs in Brussels pointed out on the one hand that the challenges of Greece are challenges of the EU. E. and assured the full support of the European Commission to Greece and on the other hand stated that the European Commission is ready to offer emergency funding to Greece to deal with the problem while underlining that European organizations, such as the EUAA (European Asylum Service) and Frontex, are ready to offer Greece additional specialized personnel and means.

In this way, the European Commission responds to the earlier rumor about the withdrawal of Frontex, proving its full understanding of the Greek positions and its practical support for Greece.

This meeting was followed by a tripartite meeting between the Greek minister and the Commissioner with the German Minister of the Interior, Nancy Fesser, with the main topic of discussion being the cooperation of the E.U. with Turkey on the immigration issue.

The common opinion was that the EU Joint Declaration should be immediately updated. – of Turkey in 2016 as important provisions of it are not implemented today from Turkey’s side. In this direction, it was agreed that the three sides should cooperate closely so that there are short results for the reactivation of returns and the prevention of irregular migration flows, through the suppression of traffickers’ networks and Turkey’s guarding of its borders.

During his position at the Council of Justice and Home Affairs in Brussels, Mr. Kairidis congratulated the Spanish presidency of the EU. for the efforts he made to successfully complete the negotiations on the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, expressing Greece’s support for these efforts.

Afterwards, the minister expressed Greece’s solidarity with Italy which is being tested by increased immigration pressure coming mainly from the coast of Tunisia. He emphasized, however, that the crisis that exists in Italy should not divert the attention of the EU. and from what is happening in the Eastern Mediterranean, where Greece is facing particularly increased pressure mainly in the maritime field.

Mr. Kairides also emphasized that Turkey, intentionally or unintentionally, has turned into the largest hub of illegal immigration in the Mediterranean, directly affecting five EU member states. and indirectly much more. He underlined that “the current situation is unacceptable” and referred to the need for the E.U. to update again the existing contractual framework of cooperation with Turkey, i.e. the EU-Turkey Joint Declaration of 2016.

On the sidelines of the Council, Mr. Kairides also held bilateral meetings with the Ministers of the Interior of Bulgaria, Kalin Stoyanov, of Italy, Matteo Piandedosi, and the Executive Director of the EUAA, Nina Gregory.

During his meeting with his Bulgarian counterpart, Mr. Kairides referred to the importance of the tripartite cooperation between Greece-Bulgaria-Turkey to combat increased migration flows. In addition, he reiterated Greece’s continued support for Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen area.

With his Italian counterpart, they agreed on the need for coordination and cooperation to better guard the external borders of the two countries since they are the most exposed to illegal immigration flows.

The specific discussion took place in view of the upcoming MED5 Ministerial Conference in Thessaloniki (October 6-7).

Finally, Mr. Kairidis participated in a working dinner of the ministers of internal affairs of the EPP, which took place on the eve of the Council and was hosted by the Vice-President of the Committee, Margaritis Schinas. In this there was an exchange of views regarding the progress of the negotiations on the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, as well as on the external dimension of immigration. During the discussion, consensus was established on the importance of protecting and strictly guarding the common European borders.