This must be the year when all people entering the European territory will be registered. Before they reach our territory, when they are still in third countries, before they get trapped in smugglers’ networks.
“I listen to many of my colleagues wondering whether what the European Commission is proposing, in regards with the newly formed European Border and Coast Guard, is exaggerating.
Is there a country that considers that European borders do not exist?
Yes, there is. And it is Greece. In the first six months of its governance, the new government believed so, because of the hard-line ideology of its Ministers.
Is there a country that lacks the administrative capacity to fulfill its commitments?
Yes, there is. When the new Minister mobilized the state, he realized that, despite people’s self-sacrifice, services are not able to fulfill their commitments.
Is there a country that does not know whether it has the funds to materialize the agreements that it has signed?
Yes, there is. In November, we decided to ask the activation of the European Mechanism of Civil Protection for essential goods, like tents, blankets and toilets.
We must not go through this again. Greece, just like any other that witness similar situations, must be assisted in a decisive way.
In 2016 we must materialize the permanent mechanism of resettlement.
This must be the year when we will be able to offer decent accommodation services to all refugees coming to Europe.
This must be the year when all people entering the European territory will be registered. Before they reach our territory, when they are still in third countries, before they get trapped in smugglers’ networks.
This must be the year when non-eligible asylum seekers will return to their countries, with full respect of their rights.
The proposal made by the European Commission is to the right direction and will help eliminate the distance between statements and actual work”
