The need for extraordinary European measures to address migration crises was highlighted by Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris as he arrived at the EU Council of Home Affairs in Luxembourg.

Mr Plevris noted that the Migration Pact and the Returns Regulation had begun to deliver results, with migration flows towards Europe declining and returns increasing.

However, he stressed that existing tools are insufficient in cases of exceptional circumstances. “In extraordinary circumstances, however, such as those Greece experienced at Evros and Spain is experiencing in Ceuta, these measures are not enough. Extraordinary measures are needed,” he said.

The minister said that at the Council he would present Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’s proposal for the creation of an Emergency Support Mechanism, noting that the proposal had been accepted by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

“Today I will present the proposal of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which was also accepted by von der Leyen, for the Emergency Support Mechanism,” he said.

According to Thanos Plevris, in such cases there should be provision for increased border surveillance and the suspension of the asylum procedure.

“Europe must protect itself,” Mr Plevris concluded.