Mitsotakis from Brussels promises returns of those not granted asylum

Kyriakos Mitsotakis, in his statement upon arriving at the EU Summit, referred to discussions on the Cyprus issue, developments in EU defense spending, following the White Paper submitted yesterday, as well as on migration policy.

The Prime Minister highlighted his satisfaction that longstanding Greek positions are being validated in both EU defense policy and migration management.

Regarding migration, he stated, “I have given clear instructions to the new leadership of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, following the principle that anyone who enters the country illegally and has not been granted asylum must be returned to the country they came from. It is crucial that we have European tools to support this effort.”

On European defense, Mitsotakis welcomed the submission of the White Paper, emphasizing that “it includes fundamental Greek positions that will now become EU policy. I am referring to the flexibility in fiscal rules, allowing member states to increase defense investments, as well as the creation of a €150 billion European Defense Fund that will enhance European strategic autonomy while limiting defense spending in non-EU countries or those without agreements with the Union.”

He also expressed satisfaction that “the proposed regulation on returns aligns with longstanding Greek positions, prioritizing not only the protection of external borders but also the swift return of those who have not been granted asylum. This is why we eagerly anticipate the new list of safe countries of origin, allowing our country to act with greater speed.”

Referring to the presence of the UN Secretary-General at the summit, Mitsotakis stated his satisfaction with the five-day conference in Geneva on the Cyprus issue, noting that “Cyprus and Greece fought and succeeded in keeping the discussion on the island’s reunification alive.”

He also described as “extremely positive” the fact that the UN Secretary-General appointed a special envoy and set new deliverables ahead of the next Cyprus negotiation process scheduled for the summer.