Alternative MFA, M. Varvitsiotis’ speech at the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament on the ratification of the Agreement on the Employment of Seasonal Workers within the Agricultural Sector between Portugal and Egypt (12. 01. 2023)

“The agreement to legally appoint 5, 000 agricultural employees from Egypt does not provide new migrants to our country. It addresses the needs associated with farmers, puts an end towards the slave trade of workers, and expands our connections with an ally country as well as a pillar of stability within the Eastern Mediterranean. ” It was the message delivered simply by Alternate Minister of International Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, speaking today at the plenary session of the Parliament during the debate on the draft law for that ratification of the Agreement within the Employment of Seasonal Workers in the Agricultural Sector among Greece and Egypt. The agreement with Egypt was ratified with the events of New Democracy and PASOK-KINAL voting in favour, plus SYRIZA and MERA25 abstaining.
Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ speech at the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament on the ratification of the Agreement on the Employment of In season Workers in the Agricultural Field between Greece and Egypt-main points (12. 01. 2023)
In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis pointed out that the ratified Contract “abolishes the slave industry practices that want workers to work undocumented, in miserable problems, without being paid the right daily wage, without health coverage or any kind of protection”. The Alternate Minister spoke of a policy, that does not encourage migration and integration, but rather invites workers to come to the country lawfully, produce work and return back to their country of origins once they have completed it, with the option to return when they wish. “We do not need brand new generations of illegal migrants”, he pointedly said.
Lastly, Mr. Varvitsiotis underscored that this agreement is a response to the particular agricultural world’s demand for workers, which is fully recommended by the entire opposition. “We are taking a first step plus, if it works, we could increase to other countries and other sectors of the economy. Greece has been plagued by the problem of illegal migration, which should not be entangled within partisan confrontation”, the Alternate Minister concluded.
Furthermore, the Alternate Minister noted that this contract falls within the framework of Greece’s foreign policy and expands economic and politics relations with Cairo. When he said, Egypt is not only the neighbouring friendly country but additionally plays a key role within the stability of the South-Eastern Mediterranean sea, with which we have developed really close ties, especially in modern times. “The agreements with Egypt on the partial delimitation of EEZs and also on research and rescue responsibility locations are important weapons in the overall national arsenal, especially against Turkey’s provocative conduct and revisionism”, he added. He or she also made a special mention of the Egypt’s responsibility for employee selection, which facilitates the issuance of visas by Ancient greek consulates.

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