In a thematic debate on migration, during the Concordia Summit conference in New York, the Minister of Maritime and Island Policy, Vassilis Kikilias, participated.

The minister underlined the distinction between refugees, who seek protection – women, unaccompanied children, etc. – and who are hosted and treated in accordance with international treaties and immigrants. He reminded that in 2015, through Turkey, they passed to the Greek islands and inland almost a million immigrants; ‘A number corresponding to one tenth of our population’something that was almost impossible for the country to manage in austerity.

Mr Kikilias said that Greece wants; Like the United States, legal immigration. “We want the same thing in Greece: Search for job opportunities and prosperity, in the legal way. “he said, referring to the example of Greek immigrants to the US, who traveled for weeks by boat and when they arrived at their destination, they worked, intended and became respected.

He also pointed out the need for security, ‘So women and children can walk in the evening without a problem’, as well as for the ability of each generation to live better than the previous one.

For illegal immigration he stressed that “No one can and should not enter Greece, Europe or America without permission.” As he said, the country It takes labor hands in tourism, to constructions and at agriculturebut this must be done with balance.

Ending up, he underlined that“The wars are not going to stop, not even the climate crisis” And that there will always be people looking for food, roof and water, noting that security is a fundamental need for societies.

As he said, this makes it necessary “To rethink the framework of measures and decisions to maintain balance in societies”. He warned that when integration is not done correctly, ‘After one or two generations, problems occur in the worst way’, udragging her need for political compatible with real needs of citizen.