Mouzalas for refugee returns to Greece: It is a move of "goodwill" by the country
- Written by E.Tsiliopoulos
The integration of refugees, the situation in island and inland structures, and repatriation, were the topics Minister of Migration Policy, Yiannis Mouzalas, spoke about in an interview to SKAI television.
Mr. Mouzalas explained that the process of integration of migrants and refugees has begun and said that "these people do not have to suffer what the Greek immigrants suffered in other countries". Today, the number of refugees in the country is around 50,000, and the re-registration of the hosted population has begun. He described that racist reactions did not occur in Greek society, while the government's policy of equal treatment for local and immigrant workers was fruitful.
He admitted that on some issues "we are behind". On the one hand, because of weaknesses in administration, since the Ministry of Migration Policy was set up just over eight months ago, and it takes two years for a ministry to work properly. On the other hand, however, "there is respect for legal procedures". Each asylum application is being considered separately, and this delay creates delays, Mr. Muzallas explained, adding that "the solution is not to violate international law". At the same time, he reminded that the Asylum Service has been in Greece for four years now, the Reception Agency three, while in other countries, such as Germany and the Netherlands over forty.
In a question about the raucus that has broken out for returns from other countries to Greece, Mr. Mouzalas said that, first of all, this is not something new, it has been said for four months at meetings, interviews, etc. Secondly it concerns a few dozen people in the coming months. A condition, of course, to come to Greece is to have secured living conditions in line with EU standards, such as home to stay, he added. He explained that it was a "goodwill" movement by Greece, to help, at least symbolically and for a minimum number, countries that have received a large number of migrants and refugees. This is not a re-implementation of the Dublin Treaty. "We show that when we demand, we can also offer," Mr. Mouzallas said. He also noted that countries such as Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have accepted 17,000 refugees for relocation from Greece, while by the end of the year, 7,000 more people will be transferred there.
