Greece: EU should sign a new refugee agreement with Turkey
Greek Minister of Migration, Dimitrios Kairidis stated that a new refugee agreement with Turkey under the European Union (EU) should be signed due to the increase in the number of migrants reaching Greece.
According to an interview given to int’l media, Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum, Dimitrios Kairidis, emphasized the need for a new refugee agreement with Turkey due to the rising number of migrants arriving in Greece.
As reported by int’l media, Kairidis mentioned that this agreement should be led by Berlin, saying, “We are doing our best to protect our northern borders. However, we need to act together to address the root cause of the problem, which is Turkey. Germany’s role is truly significant and crucial in this matter.”
TURKEY’S KEY ROLE IN CONTROLLING EASTERN MEDITERRANEAN
Highlighting Turkey’s key role in controlling the Eastern Mediterranean migration route, the minister expressed the necessity of entering into a new agreement.
Kairidis also pointed out that Turkish Airlines offered cheap air tickets, making it very easy for people from third countries to travel to Turkey without visa issues. He continued by saying, “They can easily come to Turkey without visa problems from third countries. From Istanbul Airport, they arrive at the Greek border by land or sea. We are trying to convince our Turkish counterparts that this is very ‘disruptive’ and ‘inefficient.'”
TURKEY IS NOT IMPLEMENTING THE REFUGEE AGREEMENT
Kairidis argued that the 2016 agreement signed between Turkey and the EU aimed at combating migration was not being implemented by Turkey. He stated that the clause in the agreement which stated that all new irregular migrants crossing from Turkey to Greek islands would be returned to Turkey had not been enforced since 2020 due to Covid-19 measures.
