German Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed his concerns about Germany’s plan to tighten border checks, stating that it would effectively end the open-border Schengen zone and place a burden on frontline states like Greece. Germany announced the implementation of stricter checks starting on Sept. 16 for a period of six months to curb irregular migration, which has caused a social backlash due to its previous migrant-friendly policies.
Mitsotakis emphasized the need for the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum to be enforced, highlighting the importance of protecting Europe’s external borders. Greece, at the forefront of the 2015-16 migration crisis, has witnessed a sharp decline in arrivals but still faces challenges from migrants arriving from Libya and Egypt.
The Greek government, led by Mitsotakis, has strengthened its migration policies since 2019, including the construction of a fence along its northern border with Turkey to prevent illegal entries. Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis affirmed Greece’s commitment to guarding its borders and fulfilling its obligations to Europe.
Overall, Mitsotakis and the Greek government are advocating for a collective European approach to migration management while acknowledging the need to balance security and compassion.