JOURNALIST: Mr. Minister, an agreement on the readmission of illegal immigrants was signed yesterday in Brussels by the EU and Turkey. What does this mean for Greece?
D. KOURKOULAS: It was announced yesterday that, in the coming days, this agreement – which had been pending for a long time – will be signed in Ankara. It is a positive step. As we all know, the majority of illegal migrants arrive in Greece via Turkey, whether over our land or sea borders.
A number of measures have been taken, and they have significantly reduced the number of these illegal migrants, but, of course, cooperation with Turkey and the EU’s cooperation with Turkey is very, very important. We have always said and continue to say that the immigration issue is a European issue, not just a Greek issue. For this reason, we have raised this issue on the level of Foreign Ministers and heads of state. It is one of the priorities of our upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU.
This is a positive step, but it certainly will not suffice. Other measures have to continue to be taken. And Turkey needs to intensify its border controls to avert such a large influx. It is positive that, from here on in, from the time this agreement is implemented, there will be better cooperation on the readmission of illegal migrants to their country of origin.
December 5, 2013