M. Varvitsiotis: Framework of fixed sanctions against anyone who tools immigrants

“There should be a framework of firm sanctions against anyone who wants to instrumentalize migrants and refugees in order to destabilize either the European Union or its member states,” said Deputy Foreign Minister Miltiadis Barvitsiotis, who is attending the EU General Affairs Council today. Brussels.

In the context of the preparation of the European Council (16/12), he reiterated the relevant proposal of Greece for a “comprehensive framework of sanctions against anyone who consults the EU cohesion but also exploits our humanity” – as he said – “so that we do not see the “Evros, so that we are not exposed to the Lukashenko-type threats.”

At the same time, Mr. Varvitsiotis noted that in the context of the EU-Eastern Partnership Summit and developments in Ukraine, Europe must keep open the channels of communication with Russia – as Presidents Biden and Putin now have regular communications – so to avoid side effects.

The Deputy Minister expressed his satisfaction that the first EU-Serbia Intergovernmental Conference was held on the sidelines of the GSC and the opening of the first Chapters of the Accession Negotiations, which “is a top event for us”, as “we want the Western Balkans, and especially Serbia, to move closer to the European Union “.

Mr. Varvitsiotis also stated that the SGY deals with the issue of Covid and in particular with the coordination not only for the confrontation of the pandemic, but also for the opening of the travel market, as well as for the purchase of the drugs against the coronavirus.

Finally, the Deputy Minister noted that we must mobilize even more citizens to participate in the Conference on the Future of Europe, noting that in our country this open process has not yet been embraced by all citizens. “Since Europe is our home, so we must listen to all its inhabitants,” said Mr. Varvitsiotis, announcing that by next year we will make sure to include even more voices in this dialogue, and we will take initiatives by adopting practices and other Member States.

My statement coming to the EU General Affairs Council #GAC. The focus is on European Council preparation, Enlargement, migration, the pandemic, the EU’s external relations and the Conference on the Future of Europe. pic.twitter.com/bfs4dtYHq7

– Varvitsiotis Miltiadis (@MVarvitsiotis) December 14, 2021