Kyriakos Mitsotakis called the instrumentalization of migration flows in the Baltic countries and Poland a hybrid threat, which requires a European response. The prime minister had a telephone conversation with his Lithuanian counterpart Ingrida Simonite on Friday. The main topic of conversation was Immigration, in the light of recent developments on the borders of Lithuania and Poland with Belarus.
Mr. Mitsotakis underlined that Greece was the first to face the effort to instrumentalize the Immigration in March 2020, defending its borders, which are also European borders. It thus set the framework for the defense of the Union’s external borders and the interests of the EU and the Member States, proving every day that there is an effective response, always with respect for international law and the European acquis.
In this context, he expressed our country’s full support for the challenges facing Lithuania, while reiterating that the instrumentalization of migrants to achieve political goals is unacceptable, violates international law and the human rights of desperate people who are being exploited by third countries. .
Kyriakos Mitsotakis spoke on the spot about a “hybrid threat” that requires a European response both in terms of implementing a fair, coherent and effective European policy, and in terms of combating trafficking in human beings under the guidance of either criminals or third country governments. .
It was also common to see that Europe needed solidarity with the front-line Member States, and that Europe needed to look at financing natural barriers at the border. The two leaders agreed to continue the close cooperation of the two countries to deal with the phenomenon, by coordinating actions within the EU, but also by exchanging experiences and know-how.
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