JHA Council: Panagiotopoulos highlights Greece’s ‘tough but fair’ policy on illegal migration

Minister of Migration and Asylum Nikos Panagiotopoulos during his participation in the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Luxembourg, emphasized the need for a European solution to the migration issue.

Panagiotopoulos stated that Greece “has absorbed significant pressure by implementing a policy on illegal migration that is tough but fair.” He highlighted the necessity of ensuring that all parties respect what has been agreed upon within the framework of the European Migration and Asylum Pact. This includes protecting the external European borders in accordance with the principles of European solidarity and fair burden-sharing.

He also acknowledged the efforts of the European Commission to finalize the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, expressing his support for a more comprehensive and effective migration policy that ensures the safety and protection of all European citizens.

During the summit, Panagiotopoulos met with  Executive Director of the European Union Agency for Asylum Nina Gregori, as well as with Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration  of Spain Elma Saiz, Federal Councillor of Switzerland Beat Jans and Minister of the Interior of France Bruno Retailleau. Discussions focused on strengthening cooperation to manage migration flows and secure the European Union’s external borders.