N. Mitarakis: ‘It is worrying that the Turkish propaganda on immigration is taken so often as a fact’.

N. Mitarakis expresses the surprise of Athens for the statement of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grady, who notes that “we always seek to cooperate with the UN High Commissioner for Refugees”.

According to the Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Greece protects the external borders of the European Union, in full compliance with international law and with full respect for the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The national independent authorities are investigating all allegations of alleged violations and we are actively seeking evidence. “It is deeply disturbing that Turkish propaganda and false news about illegal immigration are so often and erroneously taken for granted.”

Mr. Mitarakis also notes that “Turkey is not a country at war and has an obligation under the 2016 EU-Turkey Joint Declaration to prevent illegal departures of migrants and to accept the return of those deemed not to be entitled to international protection. Turkish Coast Guard continues to save the lives of thousands of men, women and children at sea each year, rescuing more than 230,000 third-country nationals at sea between 2015 and 2021.

And Mr. Mitarakis continues: “In the last seven years alone, Greece has provided safe haven to over one million people – that is, an order of magnitude – over ten percent of our total population. Greece is not against legal immigration “We are against traffickers and all those who exploit human suffering, either for profit or for political purposes.”

Finally, in his written statement, the minister states: “Essentially, Greece can not solve the migration crisis on its own, we urgently need even more tangible support and greater commitment at EU level and from the Member States, especially regarding relocations. “We would be happy to discuss the issues raised by the High Commissioner and talk to him about the constructive role that the international community can play in protecting the lives of refugees.”

According to sources of the Ministry. Immigration, the enhanced surveillance of the maritime borders implemented by the Greek authorities undoubtedly contributed to the better protection of the lives of migrants. In more than 1,500 cases handled by the Greek authorities at sea during the critical period from March 2020 until today, minimal loss of life of third-country nationals has been recorded, in contrast to the other migration corridors / other Central and migratory routes of the Central and Western Mediterranean.

Specifically:

Eastern Mediterranean: 95 deaths / 5%

Central Mediterranean: 1553 deaths / 77%

Western Mediterranean: 378 deaths / 18%