Βουλή-Ν. Mitarakis: Border guard saves lives

“Border guard saves lives,” said Immigration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarakis, speaking at a special event of the European Affairs and Public Administration, Public Order and Justice parliamentary committees at the Conference on the Future of Europe.

“The number of missing and dead migrants in 2021 (28) is a historic low compared to the previous five years and especially in 2016 when the losses were 436” said Mr. Mitarakis, emphasizing that “it is our duty to preserve human life and to dismantle the smuggling circuits, which sacrifice their lives in the name of illicit profit “.

Regarding the debate in the EU on a new system for the effective management of migration pressure, he noted that “Greece will assume its responsibility, as far as it’s concerned, while demanding a transparent and automated mechanism of solidarity based on relocations.” which will prevent the accumulation of pressure at the external borders over time “.

“The new Pact on Immigration and Asylum must achieve a manageable level of flow, by promoting cooperation with third countries of transit and origin, with the need to guard the borders in the light of efforts by third countries to instrumentalize migrants and refugees. , and by strengthening the legal channels “, the minister added and explained:” Greece has welcomed through legal procedures and in coordination with international organizations 700 Afghan citizens, mainly women officials, MPs, judges, lawyers, who were in direct danger of “This year, it adopted legislation for seasonal workers through 5-year work permits that will give the right to stay in Greece for nine months per year, while strengthening cooperation with third countries of origin of economic migrants, such as Bangladesh.”

“Europe has a future, a future of justice, security, humanity. I can not predict its exact form, but I can assure you that Greece and the Greek people will be at the forefront of building it,” Mitarakis concluded.

Source: AMPE