Kasselakis to Margariti Schina: "It is important to promote a new Pact on Immigration and Asylum"

Mr. Kasselakis underlined the importance of promoting a modern and effective Pact, which will be based on solidarity, in reducing the burdens of first host countries such as Greece

Meeting with the Vice-President of the European Commission, Margaret Ropes had today, Wednesday, the President of SYRIZA-PS, Stefanos Kasselakis.

During their meeting, Mr. Kasselakis underlined its importance the promotion of a modern and effective Pact, which will be based on solidarity, reducing the burdens of first receiving countries such as Greece, protecting the rights of asylum seekers and dealing with traffickers. He emphasized that especially in times of crisis, solidarity in hosting refugees should be mandatory for member states and rely on a significant number of annual relocations, otherwise it is of no value to the first receiving countries. Legal and safe routes with fair distribution to EU countries must be guaranteed, as must an effective European return mechanism for those not entitled to asylum.

At the same time, the new Agreement must be oriented towards dealing with traffickers’ networks but, above all, at the protection of borders with respect for international law by the member states, so that the crimes in Lampedusa, Pylos and Farmakonisi do not repeat themselves. He emphasized that the dialogue on the revision of the EU-Turkey Declaration should also move in the above direction.