Takis Theodorikakos: The borders of Greece are European borders

The need to strengthen regional cooperation in the wider region of Southeastern Europe was mentioned by the Minister of Civil Protection, Takis Theodorikakos, who announced the start of the Ministerial Conference on Security, with the participation of thirteen countries.

The Minister pointed out that the priority is to tackle illegal immigration, organized crime, trafficking in human beings, arms trafficking and smuggling, drug trafficking, hooliganism, and cyber-attacks.

Referring to the issue of illegal immigration, Mr. Theodorikakos stressed that the borders of Greece are European borders and therefore, tackling the entry of illegal immigrants is a major issue not only for Greece but for the whole of Europe. FRONTEX ‘s assistance has been and continues to be crucial. origin or transit of illegal immigrants “, pointed out the Minister of Citizen Protection.

Deputy Minister of Civil Protection Eleftherios Oikonomou participated in the Ministerial Conference of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP), while thirteen countries are represented together with Greece, namely: Albania with the Minister of the Interior Bledar Çuçi, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Bosnia and Herzegovina , Republic of Northern Macedonia with the Minister of the Interior Oliver Spasovski, Kosovo with the Minister of the Interior Xhelal Sveçla, Serbia with the Minister of the Interior Aleksandar Vulin, Bulgaria with the Deputy Minister of the Interior Stoyan Temelakiev, Romania with the Undersecretary General Of Interior Božo Predalič, Croatia with Ambassador Aleksandar Sunko, Germany with Undersecretary of State Johann Saathoff, USA with Ambassador Michael Scardaville, Italy with Ambassador Patrizia Falcinelli and the Regional Cooperation Council with Secretary-General Tanja Mišćević.

The whole speech of the Minister of Citizen Protection Takis Theodorikakou:

“Let me reiterate our unwavering position and Athens’ contribution to promoting the European perspective of the region. Our main goal is to promote regional cooperation in all areas, both through regional organizations and through various forms of cooperation. Regional cooperation is the most effective tool for socio-economic development and stability, security and good neighborly relations, and security is a crucial precondition for sustainable economic development.

A key priority of the Athens Presidency in the SEECP and a common challenge for all are security issues. We are interested in further strengthening cooperation to deal effectively with any security threat in our region. In our view, the priority is to tackle illegal immigration, organized crime, trafficking in human beings, arms trafficking and smuggling, drug trafficking, hooliganism, and cyber-attacks. These pose serious risks to our societies, greatly violating human rights and freedoms and undermining the stability, economic development and prosperity of the peoples of the region.

The international political environment is characterized by instability and liquidity, as well as unpredictable threats. There is an urgent need to expand our coordination and develop appropriate problem-solving strategies. That is why it is necessary to take full advantage of the potential offered by both the European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats Empact (European Multidisciplinary Platform Against Criminal Threats) and EUROPOL, in order to combat all forms of organized crime, which exploit the potential of the covert action offered by the “dark web”.

I would like to address the major issue of illegal immigration. After February 2020, the truth has been established in all of us that the borders of Greece are European borders. Therefore, tackling the entry of illegal immigrants is a major issue not only for Athens, but for the entire region. Tackling this phenomenon requires improving the coordination of our actions, with the aim of combating illegal immigration networks.

It is a fact that many actions have been taken at regional and European level to combat this phenomenon. FRONTEX assistance has been and continues to be crucial. We believe, however, that further operational cooperation is needed through the exchange of information with law enforcement authorities, as well as the organization of “public information campaigns”, especially in countries that are considered countries of origin or transit of illegal immigrants.

In addition to the current situation, we are called upon to face a new immigration / refugee challenge due to the Ukrainian crisis. According to recent analyzes by Frontex and the European Commission, more than 4.8 million people have been displaced since the start of the war in Ukraine. Some members currently represented here, such as Bucharest, have taken on a significant burden due to refugee flows from Ukraine. Greece has so far received 23,558 refugees, of which 6,500 are minors. The above elements require vigilance and greater coordination.

At this point, I would like to note that the Joint Police and Customs Cooperation Contact Centers are a best practice, which helps to improve coordination and the exchange of information.

Among the activities of criminal organizations, unfortunately, the trafficking and exploitation of people stands out, the heinous – so-called – trafficking, which abolishes the system of human values ​​and rights. It is a fact that the recruitment, the trafficking of people for the purpose of their exploitation, is a complex criminal phenomenon, while a common denominator in the way of recruiting victims, which is now done online, is the exploitation of their vulnerable position.

Based on new data from the situation in Ukraine and according to a report by EUROPOL, it is probable that criminal networks active in human trafficking, in countries that will receive refugees from Ukraine, will try, taking advantage of the situation, to recruit and exploit potential victims, mainly women and children. These vulnerable groups are at greater risk of sexual and labor exploitation, as well as forced crime and begging.

In this context, we need a comprehensive response and initiative. Ensuring cross-border and regional cooperation is a critical issue that can also be achieved through the development of exchange of know-how and information. In this direction, I propose the organization of a workshop (work-shop) with the participation of law enforcement officials in the area, in order to optimally address trafficking with emphasis on trafficking in women and children. The question is the joint reaction after comparing the different legal frameworks and practices related to the suppression of this criminal activity.

The wider development of cooperation between the Police Academies and in particular the training of their executives, in relation to the different legislations, is considered important. Respectively, the importance of the exchange of practices, know-how and joint training programs for tackling the risks of organized crime is crucial.

Ladies and gentlemen, I do not want to go into too much detail, as I look forward to hearing from you. However, I could not fail to mention the need to join forces against extremism and terrorism. Strengthening cooperation between our security authorities is the tool for a coordinated and effective response to this phenomenon.

It is important to make full use of all available European and international databases, as well as the immediate exchange of information, between the competent authorities, on persons who are considered to pose a risk to internal security.

An important aspect of tackling terrorism and extremism is the financing of this phenomenon by organized crime. At the same time, there are strong concerns about the proliferation of weapons and possible attempts by extremists and terrorists to smuggle and distribute weapons. Consequently, the channels of communication between the law enforcement authorities of the Members of the Procedure need to be strengthened through the sending of information and the exchange of best practices to deal with this phenomenon. At the same time, it is important to organize meetings at expert level, in order to create an informal regional network of cooperation between the members. In conclusion, I would like to emphasize that building a regional environment of security and stability will contribute to the progress and economic integration of the region, goals that remain strategic for Athens. ”