By Penelope Galliou

A clear message to Germany that Greece is not going to tolerate its unilateral abolition Schengen Agreementnor to disproportionately shoulder the burden of the immigration issue because it is on the external borders of Europe, Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent again yesterday, entrenching Greece’s “boundaries” in relation to this critical issue, which has arisen again due to the pressure exerted by the Berlin with its new attitude.

“This is not something that can easily be tolerated” emphasized the Prime Minister during his interview with Talkradio. At a time when Athens has responded and continues to respond effectively to the obligations arising from the European rules and agreements, for the protection of the borders of the European Union, while what is being communicated is that any other effort against it, in relation to the disproportionate immigration management, he will find her across the street.

The prime minister even invoked the new European Pact on Migration and Asylum, insisting on the need to implement it and showing it as the agreed solution between the European states, so that Germany, which with its policy casts doubt on it, can “use” it as response to the pressures it receives from the immigration flows to the country. “What could be the answer? The implementation of the Pact on Migration and Asylum is, I would say, a fair compromise between all European states, which recognizes the great importance we must attach to external border guarding. We need more money to be able to carry out this mission,” he remarked.

Although, of course, the prime minister noted that at the given moment, when Berlin decided to intensify and tighten controls on its land borders, “the issue does not concern us”, the Athens remains on constant vigilance and for the possibility that other European countries, and especially those bordering Greece, will follow Germany’s example, increasing the pressure on our country.

His concern regarding Germany’s proposals was also expressed by Minister of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidisstressing that they are in conflict with the European pact on immigration.

“Germany is facing a lot of internal problems, due to the election results and the strengthening of extreme forces, and therefore there is pressure to increase the measures. In this context, it will start checks on its borders with the other EU countries. What he is now trying to implement is against the Migration Pact,” he said, leaving hints about Berlin’s political options. He himself expressed the dangers posed by the disputed decision and the possibility that other countries would imitate it. “Greece does not border Germany, however, if all countries start doing this, does that mean that at some point he will have to reach Greece? In Poland? In Bulgaria? In a bordering country – it got in from somewhere,” he said, calling Germany’s reaction “extremely nervous.”

The issue has caused great reactions in the European leadership and especially in countries neighboring Germany, some of which have already made it clear that they will not accept returns of immigrants – refugees from Germany.

In this climate, the upcoming Berlin Summit on Borders and Security, next week, where migration developments are expected to occupy a large part of the agenda, is particularly critical. Greece will be represented at the Summit by the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, who is expected to clarify the position of our country in front of everyone and also in the four-four with the German Minister of the Interior, whose jurisdiction belongs to immigration.

Strong reactions, however, already exist from Germany’s neighboring countries. The Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, spoke of unacceptable plans by Germany, accusing it of practically suspending the Schengen area. Austria’s Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said sternly that Austria would not accept the return of asylum seekers from Germany, while Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban quipped: “Germany, welcome to the club!”