Citizens’ Protection Minister Takis Theodorikakos sent a message of unity and solidarity for resolutely guarding the European border with Turkey on Evros from Alexandroupolis, where he met with 27 ambassadors from Schengen-affiliated European Union member states, the United Kingdom and Switzerland. .

At the same time, he emphasized that the task of protecting the borders needs the support of not only the Greek state, but also the European Union, and also expressed the general will to apply international law and the determination to stability and cooperation in the region.

“The security of the European states and their citizens is a necessary condition for the fight against illegal immigration and, therefore, the protection of the external borders here on Evros. For this reason, the EL.AS. and the security agencies in general, it needs the support of not only the Greek state, which they have to an absolute extent, but also the European public opinion, and the European Union itself, and the European states in particular,” said Mr. Theodorikakos and continued: “Our meeting here today sends a signal of unity and solidarity and expresses our common will for the effective protection of European borders with Turkey, for the application of international law, and our determination for peace, stability and cooperation in the wider SE Mediterranean region.”

The Minister of Citizens’ Protection described to the ambassadors the situation on the Greek-Turkish border in Evros and noted that during 2022, 260,000 illegal immigrants were prevented from entering, and about 1,500 traffickers were arrested. He said that every day about 300-400 illegal immigrants are prevented from crossing the border by Greek border guards, noting that the threat is active. He mentioned the positive role of Frontex and said that in 2023 our border service will be strengthened by another 400 people. 250 will start work in February. Today, 1,800 border guards serve in the region, and they are the modern border guards of Europe. “Without the presence of these modern European border guards, who effectively act as a deterrent, millions of immigrants waiting to enter Europe have crossed the border,” he said.

He spoke of the development of an organized support network of dubious morality and slave trade circles that operate with a clear political agenda as they are directed directly against European institutions, and stressed: social cohesion. Their goal is to undermine institutions and values.”

In an effort to curb illegal immigration, Mr. Theodorikakos told European diplomats that the government had decided to strengthen border protection measures through the implementation of the Akritas project, implemented by the Ministry of Citizens’ Protection. In this context, Greece is embarking on the construction in the first phase of another 35 km of the Evros barrier, which currently reaches 37.5 km. The project budget is 100 million euros and is fully covered by the state budget of Greece. Greece, as he noted, bearing a large burden of illegal migration flows, attaches particular importance to the aspect of security and protection of European external borders.

“Our firm position is that the first admission Member States cannot be the only European destinations,” he said, adding: “There must be solidarity and a fair distribution of responsibility between Member States. Close cooperation and exchange of information between our countries is essential to deal effectively with this serious problem. Close coordination is needed, as we are already doing with neighboring countries such as Bulgaria, with which we have excellent cooperation on this issue. We defend the borders of Europe, we defend the Principles and Values ​​of European Civilization, we work decisively, efficiently, humanely and in solidarity, but we cannot hide behind the finger what is really happening and what are the real aspirations of some and the real stake for all of us”, he stressed.

He noted that Greece condemned the instrumentalization of immigration by Turkey and at the same time supported other states, such as Lithuania, which fell victim to a similar policy of Belarus.

The head of the Department of Aliens and Border Guards, Lieutenant General Dimitris Mallios, briefed the ambassadors on the operational parameters and actions of the Greek police to combat illegal immigration flows.

The meeting, held in the prefecture of Alexandroupolis, was attended by the Regional Governor of East Macedonia and Thrace, Christos Methios, the Deputy Regional Governor of Evros Dimitris Petrovic and the Mayor of Alexandroupolis, Yannis Zambukis, as well as ND parliamentarians T. Dimošakis. and Chr. Dermetzopoulos.

“Our problem in Evros has always been security, and now it is being strengthened thanks to the effective intervention of the government and the Ministry of Citizens’ Protection,” said Deputy Mayor of the region Dimitris Petrovic.

“Already the first part of the fence installed in the Thera area has shown results in terms of reducing migration flows,” said Athanasios Pemuzis, head of Thera Community and Resources.

After that, Mr. Theodorikakos, together with the ambassadors, will visit the fence on the border with Turkey, in the Fera region, where a briefing will be held by the Director General of the Regional Police of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, Major General Paschalis Siritudis.

Source: RES-IPE