Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, has weighed in on the dramatic events unfolding in Ceuta, where thousands of migrants are attempting to enter European territory. “Allowing an invasion of Europe through your policies is not humanitarianism — it is a crime,” he wrote in a post on social media. According to Spain’s Interior Ministry, an estimated 49,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta within a single 24-hour period, crossing by sea or land from Morocco.
Read also: Meloni on Spain’s migration crisis: “We are considering suspending the Schengen Zone”
Plevris: “We are leading the push to change EU migration policy”
Minister Plevris noted that Greece, as a frontline country in the migration crisis, “has found itself in the same situation at least twice.” He recalled that “in February 2020, we sealed the Evros border, and in July 2025, we suspended asylum procedures and detained anyone who entered illegally. In both cases, we protected our country against an attempted invasion, despite the outcry from NGOs and self-styled humanitarians.”
“Greece found itself in that same situation a third time in 2015, when over 1,000,000 illegal migrants entered the country, because the government of the time did nothing,” Plevris added, in a clear reference to the SYRIZA-led administration of that period.
“As we close out the first seven months of 2026, illegal sea crossings into our country have dropped dramatically. Even in Crete, this year’s arrivals from Libya — after an initial spike — are now lower than last year’s figures. In July 2025, illegal crossings from Libya to Crete exceeded 3,500; this July, the figure so far stands below 1,400,” the Minister of Migration and Asylum emphasized, adding:
“We are at the forefront of reshaping migration policy across the EU. Tough policies, diplomacy, and the dedication of our coast guard and police officers are delivering real results,” he said.
Thanos Plevris’ full post
“What is happening in Ceuta shows that smuggling networks are constantly looking for opportunities, and every frontline country has faced — or could face — the same situation. Under Prime Minister @kmitsotakis, Greece has found itself in this position at least twice.
In February 2020, we sealed the Evros border. In July 2025, we suspended asylum procedures and detained anyone who entered illegally. In both cases, we protected our country against an attempted invasion, in the face of outcry from NGOs and self-styled humanitarians. Greece also faced this situation a third time, back in 2015, when over 1,000,000 illegal migrants entered the country because the government of the time did absolutely nothing.
As we close out the first seven months of 2026, illegal sea crossings into our country have dropped dramatically. Even in Crete, this year’s arrivals from Libya — after an initial surge — are now running below last year’s numbers.
In July 2025, illegal crossings from Libya to Crete exceeded 3,500. This July, to date, the figure is below 1,400.
We are at the forefront of reshaping EU migration policy. Tough policies, diplomacy, and the tireless work of our coast guard and police are producing real results.
We are not letting our guard down. Smuggling networks are always watching for an opening. We are ready to take every necessary measure to protect our country, should the need arise. But allowing an invasion of Europe through your policies is not humanitarianism — it is a crime.”
Αυτό που γίνεται στη Θεουτα καταδεικνύει ότι τα κυκλώματα ψάχνουν ευκαιρίες και καθε χώρα πρωτης γραμμής έχει βρεθεί ή μπορεί να βρεθεί στην ίδια κατάσταση. Η Ελλάδα με ΠΘ τον @kmitsotakis βρέθηκε δύο τουλάχιστον φορές στην ίδια κατάσταση. Το Φεβρουάριο του 2020 που σφραγίσαμε…
— Θάνος Πλεύρης (@thanosplevris) July 31, 2026
