Latest news with #Plevris
Al-Ahram Weekly
17-07-2025
- Business
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt and Greece strengthen cooperation on immigration issues
Egyptian Ambassador to Greece, Omar Amer Youssef, discussed strengthening cooperation in migration management between Egypt and Greece with Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris on Wednesday, 16 July. The meeting was held at the headquarters of the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum in Athens. Youssef congratulated the Minister of Immigration on his new position, emphasising the embassy's commitment and readiness to continue bilateral cooperation to serve the Egyptian community in Greece. He also emphasised that the embassy will work closely with Greek authorities to resolve any legal issues affecting Egyptian citizens in Greece or Egyptian workers. Furthermore, Youssef asserted that the embassy prioritises safeguarding the rights of Egyptian citizens and labour in Greece by exhorting adherence to the rules and laws governing labour recruitment. Such adherence avoids any risks to the lives of Egyptian citizens and workers that might result from irregular migration, he noted. In return, Plevris confirmed that Greece intends to expand the scope of the seasonal labour agreement to include the construction and tourism sectors. He noted that Egyptian labour is the most qualified and suitable workforce for the Greek business sector. In addition, Plevris emphasised the depth of Egyptian-Greek relations and his deep appreciation for Egypt's position and role in maintaining security and stability in the region. During the meeting, the two sides praised the high level of existing bilateral cooperation between Egypt and Greece. They thoroughly discussed the issue of irregular migration and the efforts to enhance returns, one of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum's major priorities. Plevris informed Youssef of the need for more effective cooperation in the field of returns as a prerequisite for further strengthening legal migration. He explained to him that a team from the Greek Ministry of Immigration and Asylum is currently in Egypt to continue the technical dialogue on strengthening the bilateral agreement on the legal transfer of agricultural workers. At the end of the meeting, Egypt's ambassador extended an official invitation to the Minister of Immigration and Asylum to visit Cairo, which Plevris accepted, to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in migration management. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
The Hindu
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Greece freezes asylum claims over migrant 'invasion' from Libya
Greece on Friday (July 11, 2025) enforced a three-month freeze on asylum claims from migrants arriving by boat from North Africa, to stem a surge from Libya that the government has called an "invasion". The emergency legislation, approved by a majority of 177 out of 293 lawmakers, allows authorities to detain asylum seekers in camps for up to 18 months. Support for the bill mainly came from the conservative government's MPs and far-right lawmakers. "We have made the difficult but absolutely necessary decision to temporarily suspend the examination process of asylum applications for those arriving by sea from North African countries," Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement to German tabloid Bild on Friday. "This decision sends a clear message, leaving no room for misinterpretation, to human trafficking networks: Greece is not an open transit route. The journey is dangerous, the outcome uncertain, and the money paid to smugglers ultimately wasted," he said. Greece's migration ministry says over 14,000 migrants have reached the country this year, including over 2,000 in recent days from Libya. The influx has mainly hit Crete — Mitsotakis's home island and one of Greece's top travel destinations — sparking anger among local authorities and tourism operators. "Any migrants entering illegally will be arrested and detained," the prime minister told parliament this week. "Greece cannot have boats totalling 1,000 people a day," Migration Minister Thanos Plevris told Skai TV, adding that the country will undertake a "draconian revision" of how it deals with migrants. "The Greek Ministry for migration is not a hotel — nobody can enter illegally, ask for asylum and receive benefits, three meals a day and shelter — all that at the expense of Greek and European taxpayers," Mr. Plevris said. Some 8,000 people have landed in Crete since the beginning of the year, according to the migration ministry. Mr. Plevris — formerly a member of the far-right LAOS party and now part of Mitsotakis's New Democracy party — has called the recent influx an "invasion from North Africa". On Friday he told parliament that out of a group of over 500 people who recently reached Crete, the vast majority are young Egyptian men not entitled to asylum. The move has been criticised by rights groups as a violation of international and EU law, and Opposition parties have called it unconstitutional. Zoe Konstantopoulou, a former head of parliament and current head of the radical left Course of Freedom party, called it a racist and inhuman "stigma" on Greek democracy. Noting an "exceptional" situation, European Commission migration spokesperson Markus Lammert said on Thursday: "We are in close contact with the Greek authorities to obtain necessary information on these measures." Greece took similar steps in 2020 during a migration surge at its land border with Turkey. To manage the influx, the government could reopen camps built after the 2015 migration crisis, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said this week. Mitsotakis also told parliament that it would build up to two additional camps on Crete.
The Citizen
11-07-2025
- Politics
- The Citizen
Greece freezes asylum claims over migrant ‘invasion' from Libya
Greece freezes asylum processing for migrants arriving by boat from North Africa amid what it calls an 'invasion.' Greece on Friday enforced a three-month freeze on asylum claims from migrants arriving by boat from North Africa, to stem a surge from Libya that the government has called an 'invasion'. The emergency legislation, approved by a majority of 177 out of 293 lawmakers, allows authorities to detain asylum seekers in camps for up to 18 months. Support for the bill mainly came from the conservative government's MPs and far-right lawmakers. 'We have made the difficult but absolutely necessary decision to temporarily suspend the examination process of asylum applications for those arriving by sea from North African countries,' Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement to German tabloid Bild on Friday. 'This decision sends a clear message, leaving no room for misinterpretation, to human trafficking networks: Greece is not an open transit route. The journey is dangerous, the outcome uncertain, and the money paid to smugglers ultimately wasted,' he said. ALSO READ: Greek mother given two more life sentences for killing her children Greece's migration ministry says over 14 000 migrants have reached the country this year, including over 2 000 in recent days from Libya. The influx has mainly hit Crete — Mitsotakis's home island and one of Greece's top travel destinations — sparking anger among local authorities and tourism operators. 'Any migrants entering illegally will be arrested and detained,' the prime minister told parliament this week. 'Greece cannot have boats totalling 1 000 people a day,' Migration Minister Thanos Plevris told Skai TV, adding that the country will undertake a 'draconian revision' of how it deals with migrants. 'The Greek ministry for migration is not a hotel — nobody can enter illegally, ask for asylum and receive benefits, three meals a day and shelter — all that at the expense of Greek and European taxpayers,' Plevris said. ALSO READ: Chaos erupts at protest for Greece rail disaster victims Some 8 000 people have landed in Crete since the beginning of the year, according to the migration ministry. Plevris — formerly a member of the far-right LAOS party and now part of Mitsotakis's New Democracy party — has called the recent influx an 'invasion from North Africa'. On Friday he told parliament that out of a group of over 500 people who recently reached Crete, the vast majority are young Egyptian men not entitled to asylum. The move has been criticised by rights groups as a violation of international and EU law, and opposition parties have called it unconstitutional. Zoe Konstantopoulou, a former head of parliament and current head of the radical left Course of Freedom party, called it a racist and inhuman 'stigma' on Greek democracy. ALSO READ: Thousands leave as fresh tremors shake Greece's Santorini Noting an 'exceptional' situation, European Commission migration spokesperson Markus Lammert said on Thursday: 'We are in close contact with the Greek authorities to obtain necessary information on these measures.' Greece took similar steps in 2020 during a migration surge at its land border with Turkey. To manage the influx, the government could reopen camps built after the 2015 migration crisis, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said this week. Mitsotakis also told parliament that it would build up to two additional camps on Crete. – By: © Agence France-Presse
Arab News
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Greece to adopt legislation against migrant ‘invasion' from Libya
ATHENS: Greece on Friday was to enforce a three-month freeze on asylum claims from migrants arriving by boat from North Africa, to stem a surge from Libya that the government has called an 'invasion.' Conservative lawmakers, who hold a parliamentary majority, are expected to approve emergency legislation enforcing the temporary ban, allowing authorities to detain asylum seekers in camps for up to 18 months. 'We have made the difficult but absolutely necessary decision to temporarily suspend the examination process of asylum applications for those arriving by sea from North African countries,' Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said in a statement to German tabloid Bild on Friday. 'This decision sends a clear message, leaving no room for misinterpretation, to human trafficking networks: Greece is not an open transit route. The journey is dangerous, the outcome uncertain, and the money paid to smugglers ultimately wasted,' he said. Greece's migration ministry says over 14,000 migrants have reached the country this year, including over 2,000 in recent days from Libya. 'Greece cannot have boats totaling 1,000 people a day,' Migration Minister Thanos Plevris told Skai TV, adding that the country will undertake a 'draconian revision' of how it deals with migrants. Plevris – formerly a member of the far-right LAOS party and now part of Mitsotakis's New Democracy party – has called the recent influx an 'invasion from North Africa.' The move has been criticized by rights groups as a violation of international and EU law, and opposition parties have called it unconstitutional. Noting an 'exceptional' situation, European Commission migration spokesperson Markus Lammert said on Thursday: 'We are in close contact with the Greek authorities to obtain necessary information on these measures.' Greece took similar steps in 2020 during a migration surge at its land border with Turkiye. To manage the influx, the government could reopen camps built after the 2015 migration crisis, government spokesman Pavlos Marinakis said this week. Mitsotakis also told parliament that it would build up to two additional camps on the island of Crete.
