However, he pointed out that “at the same time, we all agree that a meaningful immigration policy should be based on a constant, continuous struggle against smugglers, on the protection of our external borders. In no way do I see these principles contradicting or canceling each other. We can do both,” he added.

In addition, the Deputy Chairman of the Commission noted that that the establishment of the necessary infrastructure in Member States will make it possible to investigate similar complaints and to administer justice when and where violations occur. “This will be the key not only to detecting these cases, but mainly to preventing them,” he said.

In the successive questions of MEPs (“Renewal of Europe”, “Lefts” and “Greens”) about the national transparency body will finally be able to conduct an investigation that will bring results – since EAD has also investigated reports of cases of repatriation of illegal migrants to the Aegean in the past, but to no avail – Mr. Shoinas emphasized that this about a greater principle of transparency (against corruption) and that, based on what his colleagues passed on to him, the people who work there are professionals of a very high level and that this area is very new to them. But precisely because it is a new field, he said they have already been trained by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR) and that they should be given a free hand to do their best. “We expect that the investigation will not only close systemic flaws, but also identify the perpetrators at the operational level and bring them to justice,” he said. At the same time, he said that they should give time to complete said investigation and that the Commission would have no problem allowing other international organizations, such as the Helsinki Observatory, to participate in it. He reaffirmed the importance of independent power, emphasizing that he fought for its creation.

As recalled by the Italian MEP (socialists), similar alleged incidents have been in other countries, Mr. Shinas stated that in any country, regardless of political coloring, the “response” of the Commission to any violation of human rights or European principles will be the same, i.e. sanctions.

However, he did not fail to mention the end of the debate and the rescue of about 100 migrants, including children, over the past two days at the border in Evros by the Greek interim government, even noting that he had not heard any mention of this event from any MEP at today’s meeting. committee of the European Parliament. “On the external borders of the EU, there is humanity and solidarity,” he said characteristically..

“Expedited Asylum Procedures”

Previously and during the debriefing in the same committee on the role of the Immigration Management Task Force, the Vice President of the Commission emphasized that it has a coordinating and supportive function and does not in any way alter, replace or replace the primary responsibility of national authorities in managing immigration with their territory. He also recalled the period when the current commission took it upon itself that “the situation in the centers of the islands in Greece was terrible to say the least, it is a shame to tell this whole story. Incidents of violence were an almost daily occurrence. The facilities were inadequate, substandard, overcrowded and inappropriate”, and he characteristically said that “Moria was not my type of Europe”. Four years later, thanks to teamwork and European funding, he added, new centers based on European standards appeared in Samos, Kos, Leros, and he also spoke about Montenegro in Lesbos.

The Deputy Chairman of the Commission also stated that Greece has overcome the overcrowding of reception centers, which is also associated with transfers to the mainland and resettlement in other EU countries and associated member states. As for asylum procedures, he said they were faster.

For her part, Interior Commissioner Ylva Johansson also referred to the start of the commission’s term of office, recalling the “threat to the EU from President Erdogan”, who spoke about opening borders shortly before the pandemic, while stressing that the situation is now “much better” because as there are functioning reception centres, they are not overcrowded and asylum procedures are smoother. However, as he emphasized, there are still many challenges and problems.

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