Alternate Minister of Foreign Matters Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ statement upon arrival at the EU General Affairs Council (Brussels 06. 02. 2023)

Moreover, Mr. Varvitsiotis noted that will, while the EU has demonstrated unity and solidarity upon key issues and major crises in recent years, it has lagged behind on the issue of migration, which is why our country is putting forward positive proposals. In response to an Austrian journalist’s question on the subject, he or she emphasized that border fencing are effective and should be financed by the European Commission because they prevent illegal crossings and put a stop to trafficking systems. Lastly, Mister. Varvitsiotis stated that the GAC would discuss the situation within Ukraine and ways to assistance the Ukrainian people in their just struggle for national sovereignty, as well as the war-ravaged Ukrainian economy. He also noted that ways to enhance Europe’s competitiveness will be discussed, worrying that Europe should not stand idle in the face of state help policies from both the US and the East, which are modifying the global economic map. Regarding the immigration issue, which is on the plan of the GAC’s discussions in front of the European Council, Mr. Varvitsiotis underscored that Greece’s crimson lines concern border defense. “There can be no European countries without a European migration policy, and there can be no Western migration policy that does not have got at its core Western solidarity, a coordinated program for guarding the Euro borders in all possible methods, and, of course , a system regarding returns to third countries, ” he pointedly stated, adding that “many of the people who fall victim to traffickers unfortunately pay for this journey with their lives, ” as  yesterday’s tragedy in Leros demonstrated. Upon their arrival today at the EU General Affairs Council, Alternative Minister of Foreign Matters, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, expressed their sorrow and condolences to the Turkish people following the disastrous earthquake on Monday early morning, underlining that this tragic occasion brings to the fore the advantages of the neighbours to extend a helping hand to each other.

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