Mitsotakis at EU Summit: Illegal Immigrants Without Asylum Will Be Sent Back

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced a new policy direction regarding illegal immigration during the EU Summit in Brussels. “I have instructed the new leadership of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum that anyone entering our country illegally and not seeking asylum must be returned to their country of origin,” Mitsotakis stated. The prime minister expressed satisfaction with the decisions made in the EU concerning migration, developments in the Cyprus issue, and the White Paper on common European defense. Regarding migration, Mitsotakis emphasized that the proposed return regulation aligns with Greece’s long-standing positions, prioritizing external border protection and swift return procedures for those not granted asylum. He also welcomed the Commission’s proposals for a common European defense through the submission of the White Paper, which includes financial flexibility for member states to increase defense investments and create a joint European fund for defense investments. Finally, Mitsotakis highlighted the importance of the UN Secretary-General appointing a special envoy to keep the reunification process of Cyprus alive.