Under the prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis the Governmental National Security Council met today (CYSEA).

During the meeting it was approved, following a proposal by the Minister of National Defence Nikos Dendiasthe participation of Greece in the operation “Aspides” for the protection of free navigation in the Red Sea region.

Following a proposal by the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Christos Stylianidis, it was decided to extend for one year the term of office of the acting Chief of the Coast Guard Vice-Admiral L.S. Georgios Alexandrakis.

KYSEA was informed by the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Dimitris Kairides, about the course of migration, the great reduction in migration flows and the gradual decongestion of the National Reception System. According to the data presented by Mr. Kairidis, the number of people staying in the hospitality structures of the eastern Aegean islands has decreased by more than 25% compared to the beginning of January.

Following a proposal by the Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Vasilis Kikilia, it was decided amendment of the Plan “Shield”for the supply of 300 new vehicles for the forestry services.

According to government sources, regarding the participation of Greece in the “Aspides” operation, our country will participate with the frigate “Hydra” which will sail to the region in the next few days.

Regarding the data presented by the Minister of Immigration and Asylum Dimitris Kairides and in which a significant reduction in flows is recorded:

The decrease in flows concerns the maritime border mainly in the south-eastern Aegean where a very large improvement is observed, while at the land border at Evros the flows have been minimized. The Ministry of Migration and Asylum is closely monitoring the flow that has been observed from the southeastern coast of Libya.

Dealing with illegal flows goes through:

a. the strict guarding of the borders,

b. better cooperation with countries of transit such as Turkey but also with countries of origin such as Egypt,

c. the fast processing of asylum requests (Greece records one of the highest rates in Europe),

d. the acceleration of returns and the imminent appointment of the recently established National Coordinator of Returns will contribute to this, and

e. the closest possible European cooperation both on a political and economic level.