ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The European Union’s new commissioner for migration and internal affairs, Magnus Brunner, held policy talks with Greek officials in Athens on Thursday regarding the ongoing migrant crisis. Greece has historically been a major entry point for migrants seeking entry into the EU.
Brunner, an Austrian conservative who assumed the role late last year, has emphasized the need to strengthen EU policies on deportations, an issue that has divided the bloc’s 27 member nations. The EU Parliament approved a significant reform of migration laws known collectively as the Pact on Migration and Asylum last year.
During a meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Brunner acknowledged the challenges ahead in implementing the Pact and highlighted the importance of prioritizing returns of migrants. Despite the complexities of the issue, Brunner expressed optimism about the progress that can be achieved.
Greece, along with other EU countries, has been advocating for stricter immigration controls. The Greek government maintains a “strict but fair” approach to combatting illegal migration and cracking down on smuggling networks. However, Greece has faced criticism for its practice of deporting newly arrived migrants without allowing them to apply for asylum, a process commonly referred to as “pushbacks,” which the government denies.
Mitsotakis underscored Greece’s longstanding role in managing the migration crisis and expressed satisfaction with the rebalancing of the EU’s migration policy to focus on protecting external borders, enhancing returns, and facilitating legal pathways to migration.
In addition to meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, Brunner engaged with Greece’s ministers for migration, maritime affairs, and foreign affairs. He is scheduled to continue discussions in Cyprus on Friday as part of his regional engagements.
Brunner’s visit coincided with a significant ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which found Greece guilty of illegally deporting a woman back to Turkey and described pushbacks as a systematic practice. The court awarded damages of 20,000 euros to the woman, highlighting the need for accountability in handling migrants at EU borders.
Greece experienced over 60,000 illegal migrant arrivals last year, marking a notable increase from the previous year. The country has requested direct funding from the EU to support the expansion of a border wall along its frontier with Turkey.
Brunner’s discussions in Athens and upcoming meetings in Cyprus reflect the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding migration management in the EU, as member states strive to navigate the evolving dynamics of the crisis while upholding humanitarian principles and legal obligations.