‘Government’s political priorities are primarily about limiting illegal migration And at the same time in organizing legal immigration in a way that will cover real and well -known labor shortages, “he said. Kyriakos Mitsotakis From his visit to Ministry of Immigration and Asylum.

On the issues of illegal immigration, the prime minister stood in the first months of the year, with arrivals flowing by approximately 36%. “To emphasize that border guard is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Immigration, but apparently it is working closely with the Ministry of Civil Protection and the Ministry of Maritime,” he said, while also referring to the completion of EU -funded infrastructure in the Eastern Aegean islands.

“Our country has such infrastructure in comparison with other countries and we hope that they will never work at the maximum of their capacity, but they are EU funded and must be completed within the timetables.”

He reiterated that the government’s commitment is to lead the international dialogue to determine returns. “The national policy and European policy is simple: If one arrives in our country and is entitled to asylum, we welcome him and is our pleasure if he chooses to stay in our country. But if one enters illegally, they need to know that we will do everything in our power to return to their country of origin. This is a debate that is now taking place at European level and the new Returns Rules I believe will give us the tools that will complement national law to implement this policy. “

The entire statement by Kyriakos Mitsotakis:

“Thank you, Mr Minister. First of all, I wish you and the Deputy Minister good power in your new duties as the political leadership of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum.

Indeed, the government’s political priorities are primarily concerned with limiting illegal immigration and at the same time organizing legal immigration, in a way that will cover real and found lack of labor markets.

On the issues of illegal immigration, to dwell on the encouraging elements of the first months of this year, with arrivals flowing by about 36%. Let me emphasize that border guard is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, but apparently works closely with both the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Ministry of Merchant Shipping.

To dwell on something the minister said, in completing the existing routed and funded by the European Union of Infrastructure in the Eastern Aegean islands. I would like to emphasize that our country, compared to other European countries, has such infrastructures that are necessary. We hope that they will never work at the maximum of their potential, but they are infrastructure funded by the European Union and must be completed within the timetable of Europe.

To reiterate that the government’s commitment is to lead the European dialogue on the regulation of returns. National Politics, which also becomes European policy, is simple: if one arrives in our country and is entitled to asylum, we welcome him and is our pleasure if he chooses to stay and live in our country. If, however, one enters illegally, they should know that we will do everything in our power to return to their country of origin.

This is a debate that is being held at European level and the new regulation of returns, which is being co -ordinated at this time, I believe that it will give us the tools that will complement national legislation so that we can implement this policy.

We have spoken about the issues of legal and organized immigration many times. This must cover detected labor market needs. I stand in particular in the field of land workers, but also in the construction sector, where it is clear that there seems to be no domestic potential that can meet the needs of these branches.

And the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum will play a leading role, coordinating the relevant ministries, so that we are more effective and faster in legal immigration.

Finally, we have historically displayed a great sensitivity to the issues of unaccompanied minors and have launched policies that have been awarded by Europe. It is an area of ​​particular sensitivity, to which we will still show our social face, taking care – or possibly promptly, some of the relevant procedures – to cover as many children as possible, within the existing budget.

And, finally, since we talked about the islands of the Eastern Aegean, to refer to yet another major success of the government and very important to these islands, which is none other than the expansion of the rapid visa or rapid visa program for Turkish visitors to our islands. Indeed, two more are added to the ten existing islands, two more: Patmos and Samothraki.

And I think the financial footprint from this initiative has already been extremely noticeable last year, and I think this year this initiative will contribute significantly this year, which I would like to emphasize that it is an exception to Schengen’s basic rules.

I think this initiative will be very important to further support the islands of the Eastern Aegean, which have de facto lifted a historically great burden on managing the migration problem.

So, Minister, rich the work in front of you. Madam Deputy Minister, good power. “