Greece and Luxembourg align on migration policy red lines

Greece and Luxembourg share a unified position on migration policy. This was demonstrated at the meeting held on Monday, May 25th at the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, between Thanos Plevris and Léon Gloden. Luxembourg’s Interior Minister discussed with the Migration and Asylum Minister and they agreed on both effective management of migration flows and accelerating asylum procedures while strengthening returns. The meeting took place within the framework of bilateral contacts focusing on reducing migration flows, enhancing returns and implementing the New European Pact on Migration and Asylum, set to begin on June 26th.

Read: Plevris: “The government will create migrant facilities in Crete despite opposition”

Thanos Plevris: Functional European returns system

During the meeting, “the two ministers confirmed the common position of Greece and Luxembourg that European migration policy must be based on effective management of migration flows, rapid examination of asylum applications and immediate return of those not entitled to international protection or legal residence within the European Union,” according to a ministry statement. The discussion also addressed the Ukrainian issue and challenges arising from ongoing geopolitical developments.

Particular emphasis was placed on the need to create a functional and effective European returns system, with both sides agreeing that the credibility of the New European Pact on Migration and Asylum depends directly on its substantial implementation. In this context, they discussed developments around the new Returns Regulation, as well as strengthening cooperation with third countries to combat illegal migration and smuggling networks, according to the statement.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Migration and Asylum Minister Sevie Voloudaki, Migration Policy Secretary General Nadia Papakosta, Asylum Service Director Marios Kaleas, European and International Cooperation Director Angeliki Grammatikopoulou, and diplomatic advisor to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum Nikolaos Giotopoulos.