The possibilities for voluntary returns of Syrian nationals and the new Returns Regulation were among the main topics discussed at the EU Council of Interior and Migration Ministers in Luxembourg, attended by Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris.

During his intervention, Minister Plevris reiterated Greece’s position that returns are the country’s top priority. He emphasized that Greece supports both voluntary and forced returns, calling for the strengthening of joint return procedures through FRONTEX and the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Regarding the draft EU Returns Regulation, Plevris noted that Greece has already incorporated relevant provisions into national law, underlining that “our policy is now clearly reflected in the doctrine ‘prison or return.’”

He added that illegal residence has been criminalized, carrying a prison sentence of two to five years, and that the first positive results in terms of returns are already visible.

On the review of asylum applications from Syrian nationals, the minister stated that Greece is already moving forward with the revocation or non-renewal of international protection status, as conditions in Syria have changed substantially.

Plevris also expressed concern for the situation of Christian communities in Syria, stressing that “the populations now facing real danger are not Muslims, but Christians. Therefore, those who were granted asylum in previous years for safety reasons no longer face the same level of risk.”

He referred as well to the three-month suspension of new asylum applications for irregular migrants arriving in Greece from North Africa, which expires today. Despite criticism, he said, the measure produced significant results:

“Before its implementation, in the first ten days of July, 2,642 people had entered the country. Afterward, migration flows dropped considerably during August and September.”

In conclusion, Minister Plevris reiterated that Greece’s priority remains returns, along with support for a common European framework and mutual recognition of return decisions among EU member states.

On the sidelines of the Council, Plevris held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Sweden, Bulgaria, and the Netherlands, during which they exchanged views on current developments in EU migration policy.