In a statement to the Bild newspaper, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis refers to the measures the government is taking to reduce illegal migrants from Libya, saying that “Greece is not an open transit route”.

Addressing the trafficking networks of illegal immigrants, he says, “the journey is dangerous, the outcome uncertain, and the money paid to the traffickers is ultimately wasted unnecessarily. Illegal entries will not lead to legal settlement.”

The Greek prime minister also stresses that a “unified European response” is also needed, stating.

Also, there is an important message from the European Commission: ”
The European Union must also express its support for the European Union,” he said.
“Greece remains committed to a fair and effective migration policy, including legal migration routes, but the current situation requires immediate action. And this is not only the responsibility of Greece, it is also the responsibility of Europe.”

The full statement by Kyriakos Mitsotakis to Bild

Faced with the sharp increase in illegal arrivals by sea from North Africa, especially from Libya to Crete, we have taken the difficult but absolutely necessary decision to temporarily suspend the procedure for examining asylum applications for those arriving by sea from North African countries.

This decision sends a clear message, which does not allow for misinterpretation, to the migrant trafficking networks: Greece is not an open transit route. The journey is dangerous, the outcome uncertain and the money paid to the traffickers is ultimately wasted unnecessarily. Illegal entries will not lead to a legal settlement.

Our message is clear: Greece is not an open corridor to Europe. We are ready to work closely with the Libyan authorities so as to stop departures at the point of departure.

But we also need a united European response.

Greece remains committed to a fair and effective migration policy, including legal migration routes, but the current situation requires immediate action. And this is not only Greece’s responsibility, it is also Europe’s responsibility.