ATHENS, Greece (AP) — The European Union’s newly appointed commissioner for migration and internal affairs, Magnus Brunner, held discussions in Athens on Thursday with Greek officials on migration policies. Greece, a key entry point for migrants into the EU, has been at the forefront of addressing migration challenges within the bloc.
Brunner, an Austrian conservative who assumed the role at the end of last year, has emphasized the importance of strengthening EU policies on deportations, a contentious issue among the 27 member nations. The European Parliament approved a significant overhaul of migration laws in the form of the Pact on Migration and Asylum last year.
“In implementing the Pact, there are tasks ahead of us,” Brunner conveyed to Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the commencement of their meeting. “The issue of returns is also a crucial area where we must deliver, which we aim to do. Despite being in the early stages, I remain optimistic.”
Greece, aligned with other EU states advocating for stricter immigration controls, has adopted a firm approach to migration by enforcing a “strict but fair” policy to combat illegal migration and smuggling networks. However, the country has faced criticism for conducting deportations of newly arrived migrants without affording them the opportunity to seek asylum, a practice known as “pushbacks,” which the government vehemently denies.
Mitsotakis acknowledged Greece’s position on the front lines of the migration crisis, stating, “We are pleased with the progress made at the EU level in reshaping our European migration policy towards safeguarding external borders, focusing on returns and legal pathways to migration.”
In addition to his meeting with the Greek Prime Minister, Brunner engaged with Greece’s ministers for migration, maritime affairs, and foreign affairs before heading to Cyprus for further discussions on Friday. His visit coincided with a significant ruling by the European Court of Human Rights, which determined that Greece had unlawfully deported a woman back to Turkey and highlighted systematic pushbacks at the border.
The court awarded damages of 20,000 euros ($21,000) to the woman, identified by her initials A.R.E., for being unjustly expelled in 2019 without the chance to seek asylum after crossing into Greece. The ruling underscored findings indicating a systematic practice of pushbacks of third-country nationals by Greek authorities from the Evros region to Turkey.
Greece recorded over 60,000 illegal migrant arrivals last year, representing a nearly 50% increase from 2023. The country is seeking direct EU funding to finance the planned expansion of a border wall along its land border with Turkey. Frontline EU members receive financial assistance from Brussels to manage illegal migration.
Brunner’s visit to Athens and the recent ECHR ruling on pushbacks underscore the ongoing challenges and complexities surrounding migration management within the European Union. The discussions between EU officials and Greek authorities reflect the collective efforts to address migration issues while upholding human rights and EU values.
