Speaking on Wednesday morning, Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chrysochoidis addressed the government’s measures on migration and border protection, as well as police operations in Roma settlements.

As he told SKAI TV, “We must respect humanitarianism, but we also have to protect our borders. Europe today is very different from what it was in 2020—it has a different policy.”

He went on to say, “I don’t see an easy solution” regarding migrant smugglers because “the cost for someone to get from Libya to Italy or Greece is very high.” However, he stressed, “We will guard our borders, we will fight—there is no other option. Those pretending to be so-called sensitive should go ahead and tell the public: ‘Let’s allow illegal migrants to come.’”

He also reminded the public that “there are 10 million Sudanese displaced by civil war and 10 million Egyptians who want to leave their country—we cannot solve this problem. We are alone in this.”

No Corner of Roma Settlements Without a Police Presence

Regarding police operations, Mr. Chrysochoidis specifically mentioned ongoing efforts in Roma camps across Greece.

“The police are inside these settlements every day—there’s not a corner where operations aren’t taking place. We’re also seeing a reduction in incidents. For many years, unfortunately, there was tolerance on these issues. There are communities where everyone lives off electricity theft,” he said.

Presenting relevant data, he added, “There are areas with 400–500 people either under indictment or already convicted, and 80% of them are Roma. Everyone must take responsibility, including in the social sphere.”

He also expressed hope that “by the end of the year, there won’t be a single Greek motorbike rider without a helmet.”

On the Kolonaki Incident and Nightclub Enforcers

Finally, referring to the incident involving a valet and a traffic accident in Kolonaki, he emphasized, “The law will be enforced there—and everywhere. When I first took office, enforcers were standing outside clubs acting as valets. Now, there’s one designated valet per establishment. The phenomenon of enforcers outside nightclubs is not acceptable.”