Athens says it wants to join EU partners in exploring migrant return hubs in “safe” African states, as arrivals from North Africa surge on Crete and Gavdos.

Migration & Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris made the announcement after a new and stricter framework for determining if an asylum seeker is a minor was implemented in late August

Migration Minister Plevris also issued a circular, for distribution to asylum seekers, which states that 'If you are not a refugee and are not entitled to protection, then you have entered and are remaining in the country illegally', while warning of possible jail time

'The message will be very simple: you either work or you leave', Minister Thanos Plevris said, in detailing an upcoming draft law. Conversely, he said legal migration for guest workers will be expanded

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Migration and Asylum confirmed that the country’s Asylum Service resumed issuing rejection decisions on Monday.

A new directive by the migration minister mandates stricter wording in all official documents and sets prison terms of two to five years for rejected asylum seekers who remain in the country

Greece signals it will not become an open-border country as migration arrivals drop. Minister Thanos Plevris outlines stricter asylum rules, upcoming legislation, and policies to integrate recognized refugees while reducing dependency on state aid

The amendment stipulates that, for a period of three months, individuals arriving by sea from North African countries without formal authorization will not be permitted to file asylum applications.

Plevris said cooperation with Turkey has effectively reduced crossings at Greece’s northeastern land border and the eastern Aegean islands; however, the main challenge remains the Libyan maritime route.

Plevris’s return to the cabinet signals a shift toward a more right-leaning political stance by Athens, at a time when the government is facing mounting political pressure and internal instability.

Voridis emphasized that since taking over the ministry a month and a half ago, he has already implemented a strategy aimed at reducing the number of people residing in migrant facilities.