The European Union's top migration official highlighted the importance of deportations during a visit to Greece, where the country is facing a significant influx of people arriving illegally across its borders. The EU migration commissioner underscored the need to prioritize returns as a crucial aspect of the bloc's executive branch.
Addressing Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the commissioner emphasized the implementation of the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact as a critical step forward. Greece, a primary entry point for migrants into the EU, has been advocating for stricter immigration controls given its longstanding position at the forefront of the migration crisis.
Recent rescue operations have been conducted by Greek authorities, including the response to 36 migrants aboard a vessel spotted southeast of the remote island of Gavdos. Coast guard vessels safely escorted the migrants to a port on the nearby island of Crete.
The visit comes in the wake of a European Court of Human Rights ruling that found Greece had illegally deported a Turkish national, raising concerns about pushbacks described as 'systematic.' Despite these allegations, Greece maintains that it upholds a 'strict, but fair' migration policy.
In 2024, Greece recorded over 60,000 migrants arriving illegally, marking a significant increase in sea arrivals over the past 18 months. Seeking to bolster its border security, Greece is looking to secure direct EU funding to expand its border wall along the Turkish frontier.
The EU migration commissioner's agenda in Athens included meetings with Greek ministers for migration, maritime affairs, and foreign affairs. The discussions focused on migration policy, with further talks scheduled in Cyprus on Friday to continue addressing these pressing issues.
For more updates on migration issues, follow AP's coverage at AP Migration Hub.
