As you already know, I carried out in-depth briefings of the representatives of the opposition parties regarding issues that the migration crisis – as it has developed – is creating for the country’s international relations, as well as the issue’s European and regional implications, following the Turkish leadership’s decision to instrumentalise it. To instrumentalise the migration issue in order to exert unprecedented pressure on the European Union.
Our country, Greece, and Europe are coming under sudden mass pressure from the population movement towards the land and sea borders of the European Union. There is not the slightest doubt that this is an organized operation encouraged and directed by the government and the authorities of our neighbouring country.
I reported to my colleagues in the opposition parties the moves our country has taken on the diplomatic level, crowned by yesterday’s visit of the three leaders to Evros, together with the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The message that came out of this visit was clear. In any case, this issue concerns the whole of Europe and therefore must be dealt with collectively.
On Friday, as you know, following today’s meeting of the EU Justice and Home Affairs (JAI) Council, the issue will be discussed in the Foreign Affairs Council. Greece had requested that the two Councils be convened.
What we expect from our European partners is their support for Greece and their unified stance against the threat to Europe that is being created.
I repeat that we believe it is absolutely unacceptable that human souls – people in distress who are trying to survive and to make a better life – are being used to achieve the political objectives of our eastern neighbour.
March 4, 2020