Latest news with #Mitsotakis
Zawya
4 days ago
- General
- Zawya
President El-Sisi Speaks with Greek Prime Minister (PM) Mitsotakis
Today, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi received a phone call from Greek Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis. Spokesman for the Presidency, Ambassador Mohamed El-Shennawy, said President El-Sisi and Greek PM Mitsotakis reiterated their keenness on maintaining the significant momentum in relations between the two friendly countries. The two sides underscored their commitment to further advancing the strategic ties between the two countries toward broader prospects across various fields, in consistency with their historical nature and in a manner that serves the interests of both friendly peoples. The call stressed Egypt's unwavering commitment to preserving the unique and sacred religious status of St. Catherine's Monastery, ensuring this status remains untouched. This commitment is reinforced by the recent judicial ruling that aligns with Egypt's dedication to the sanctity of religious and ecclesiastical sites, and reaffirms the unique heritage, spiritual, and religious standing of St. Catherine's Monastery. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Arab News
6 days ago
- General
- Arab News
Greece drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers, PM says
ATHENS: Greece has prepared legislation that will introduce tougher penalties for rejected asylum seekers and speed up returns to their home countries, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. The Mediterranean nation was on the frontline of a 2015-2016 migration crisis when more than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa crossed into Europe. The surge in arrivals triggered calls for countries on Europe's southern frontier like Greece and Italy to shore up their borders. The numbers have since fallen. But migration remains a politically charged issue in Greece, and Mitsotakis has pledged to toughen his stance. 'Penalties will be heavier for those who enter the country illegally or stay in our country, if their asylum application is being rejected,' Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, which discussed a new draft law on illegal migration. Mitsotakis said the bill will also aim to speed up returns through a 'more effective and fair mechanism.' The regulations will need parliamentary approval before taking effect. Migrant flows to Greece dropped 30 percent in the first four months of this year compared to the previous year as fewer people entered along its eastern border with Turkiye. But sea arrivals from Libya to the outlying islands of Crete and Gavdos have surged in recent months along a new smuggling route on the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of rejected asylum seekers are stranded in Greece. In order to accelerate asylum processes and reduce pressure on asylum systems, the EU's executive last week proposed amending European law to allow member states to deport rejected asylum seekers if they can be sent to a third country deemed safe by the bloc.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Greece drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers, PM says
ATHENS (Reuters) -Greece has prepared legislation that will introduce tougher penalties for rejected asylum seekers and speed up returns to their home countries, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. The Mediterranean nation was on the frontline of a 2015-2016 migration crisis when more than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa crossed into Europe. The surge in arrivals triggered calls for countries on Europe's southern frontier like Greece and Italy to shore up their borders. The numbers have since fallen. But migration remains a politically charged issue in Greece, and Mitsotakis has pledged to toughen his stance. "Penalties will be heavier for those who enter the country illegally or stay in our country, if their asylum application is being rejected," Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, which discussed a new draft law on illegal migration. Mitsotakis said the bill will also aim to speed up returns through a "more effective and fair mechanism". The regulations will need parliamentary approval before taking effect. Migrant flows to Greece dropped 30% in the first four months of this year compared to the previous year as fewer people entered along its eastern border with Turkey. But sea arrivals from Libya to the outlying islands of Crete and Gavdos have surged in recent months along a new smuggling route on the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of rejected asylum seekers are stranded in Greece. In order to accelerate asylum processes and reduce pressure on asylum systems, the EU's executive last week proposed amending European law to allow member states to deport rejected asylum seekers if they can be sent to a third country deemed safe by the bloc.
Straits Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Greece drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers, PM says
FILE PHOTO: Migrants gather at the port of the village of Sfakia, following a rescue operation at open sea, on the island of Crete, Greece, May 8, 2025. REUTERS/Nicolas Economou/File Photo ATHENS - Greece has prepared legislation that will introduce tougher penalties for rejected asylum seekers and speed up returns to their home countries, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. The Mediterranean nation was on the frontline of a 2015-2016 migration crisis when more than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa crossed into Europe. The surge in arrivals triggered calls for countries on Europe's southern frontier like Greece and Italy to shore up their borders. The numbers have since fallen. But migration remains a politically charged issue in Greece, and Mitsotakis has pledged to toughen his stance. "Penalties will be heavier for those who enter the country illegally or stay in our country, if their asylum application is being rejected," Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, which discussed a new draft law on illegal migration. Mitsotakis said the bill will also aim to speed up returns through a "more effective and fair mechanism". The regulations will need parliamentary approval before taking effect. Migrant flows to Greece dropped 30% in the first four months of this year compared to the previous year as fewer people entered along its eastern border with Turkey. But sea arrivals from Libya to the outlying islands of Crete and Gavdos have surged in recent months along a new smuggling route on the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of rejected asylum seekers are stranded in Greece. In order to accelerate asylum processes and reduce pressure on asylum systems, the EU's executive last week proposed amending European law to allow member states to deport rejected asylum seekers if they can be sent to a third country deemed safe by the bloc. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Reuters
6 days ago
- General
- Reuters
Greece drafts tougher law for rejected asylum seekers, PM says
ATHENS, May 28 (Reuters) - Greece has prepared legislation that will introduce tougher penalties for rejected asylum seekers and speed up returns to their home countries, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Wednesday. The Mediterranean nation was on the frontline of a 2015-2016 migration crisis when more than a million people fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa crossed into Europe. The surge in arrivals triggered calls for countries on Europe's southern frontier like Greece and Italy to shore up their borders. The numbers have since fallen. But migration remains a politically charged issue in Greece, and Mitsotakis has pledged to toughen his stance. "Penalties will be heavier for those who enter the country illegally or stay in our country, if their asylum application is being rejected," Mitsotakis told a cabinet meeting on Wednesday, which discussed a new draft law on illegal migration. Mitsotakis said the bill will also aim to speed up returns through a "more effective and fair mechanism". The regulations will need parliamentary approval before taking effect. Migrant flows to Greece dropped 30% in the first four months of this year compared to the previous year as fewer people entered along its eastern border with Turkey. But sea arrivals from Libya to the outlying islands of Crete and Gavdos have surged in recent months along a new smuggling route on the Mediterranean Sea. Thousands of rejected asylum seekers are stranded in Greece. In order to accelerate asylum processes and reduce pressure on asylum systems, the EU's executive last week proposed amending European law to allow member states to deport rejected asylum seekers if they can be sent to a third country deemed safe by the bloc.
