Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis raised the issue of migrant returns during a meeting with Magnus Brunner, the European Union’s Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration. The scheduled meeting, held at the Maximos Mansion, marked the Commissioner’s first official trip abroad, aside from Poland, which holds the EU presidency this year.
According to the European Commission, the Commissioner is expected to address Greece regarding pushbacks, citing the recent European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling against Greece for the illegal deportation of a female migrant from Turkey.
During the discussion, Commissioner Brunner acknowledged Greece’s enhanced role within the EU, not only in managing migration and border security but also in broader areas, highlighting significant progress.
Commissioner Brunner said implementing the European Pact on Migration and Asylum was a primary priority, noting that tangible results are also needed on the issue of returns. He expressed his commitment to close collaboration with Greece as he assumes his new portfolio, recognizing the many steps that remain to be taken.
Focus on Returns
Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed satisfaction with the progress made toward creating a new balance in European migration policy. He prioritized the protection of external borders, with a particular focus on returns, while also highlighting the importance of legal migration pathways.
Greece, along with 16 other countries, has co-signed a letter to the European Commission calling for expedited processes to return migrants without asylum status to their countries of origin or transit. This initiative, spearheaded by Austria and the Netherlands—countries taking a tougher stance on migration—was co-signed by 13 other Schengen member states and two non-Schengen countries (Norway and Switzerland).
Magnus Brunner, the new Migration Commissioner and former Austrian Finance Minister, has been dubbed a “Schengen hawk.” He is considered one of the hardline leaders within the EU bloc on migration issues.
