The government expects immediate results from its initiative to curb the sharp influx of thousands of refugees and migrants from the coasts of Libya to Crete. The amendment, which was voted yesterday afternoon in Parliament –amid strong reactions from left-wing parties– and is effective from today, provides for the suspension of asylum application processing, initially for three months, for those arriving by sea from North Africa, while those entering illegally will be arrested, detained and subsequently deported.
At the same time, a permanent, closed facility will be created in Crete, in an inactive military camp, specifically in the area of the former Plevraki-Zografaki camp, in Kastelli of the Municipality of Minoa Pediada. A review of all benefits given to irregular migrants is also being planned, while even the menu provided in facilities across the country will be reconsidered. Meanwhile, discussions with Libya on stemming the flows will continue, while the Navy and Coast Guard will be constantly on standby for more active cooperation with local authorities in prevention operations.
Mitsotakis meetings in Rome on migration
Indeed, on the sidelines of the Conference on Ukraine in Rome, Kyriakos Mitsotakis had a meeting with the Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and with his counterparts from Italy and Malta, Giorgia Meloni and Robert Abela, respectively. The four agreed on the need to re-engage with Libya and reactivate the “Team Europe” approach, with the renewed dispatch of the European Commission delegation and relevant ministers from Greece, Italy and Malta, in order to continue the visit to Libya, which was abruptly interrupted following a sudden decision by warlord Haftar. “Faced with the sharp increase in irregular arrivals by sea from North Africa, especially from Libya to Crete, we made the difficult but absolutely necessary decision to temporarily suspend the procedure for examining asylum applications for those arriving by sea from North African countries,” Mr. Mitsotakis said yesterday to “Bild”.
How parties voted and reactions to the amendment
It is worth noting that the relevant amendment was approved by 177 MPs from New Democracy, as well as Greek Solution and some independents. “Present” was declared in the vote by PASOK and “Victory,” while SYRIZA, KKE, Course of Freedom and New Left voted against.
Explaining this decision taken by the Greek government, the prime minister emphasized in his statements to the German newspaper that “it sends a clear message, which allows no misinterpretation, to migrant trafficking networks: Greece does not constitute an open transit route. The journey is dangerous, the outcome uncertain and the money paid to smugglers is ultimately wasted. Illegal entries will not lead to legal settlement.”
He called for a “unified European response” and called on the European Union for immediate action.
The government’s decision to tighten its migration policy for the next quarter is based on the Evros “model”. In early March 2020, it was decided to suspend asylum applications for one month for those entering the country illegally. It was estimated that the sudden, massive and swelling movement of populations of third-country nationals, who were then gathering at the country’s eastern land and sea borders, constituted an active, serious, exceptional and asymmetric threat to the country’s national security – similar was the logic that prevailed in recent days.
Published in Parapolitika newspaper
