Samaras - Letta: Tackling Illegal Immigration

Speaking during a joint conference after one-hour talks with his Italian counterpart Enrico Letta, the Greek PM also said that a bilateral cooperation aiming at bringing changes in EU's policies regarding illegal immigration, was equally important.

On the Greek economy, Mr. Samaras noted that after many years of crisis it was now "restarting", adding that "what is at stake for Europe and Greece is to achieve growth."

Enrico Letta indicated that one of the main issues of talks in view of the October 24-25 European Council meeting will be the major problem of illegal immigration, in light of the wave of migrants arriving in Italy during the past months and the series of deadly shipwrecks off the Italian coast.

Mr. Letta also called for the reinforcement of Frontex for the control of European frontiers, the activation of the EuroSur programme, while noting that the Italian military-humanitarian mission 'Mare Nostrum' will end on December 2, through the start of the EuroSur programme.

As regards Greece, Letta recognised the country's "significant efforts and the positive results achieved by the Greek government and by Antonis Samaras personally" in handling the economic crisis.