The Joint Ministerial Decision of the Ministers of Immigration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, and Foreign Affairs, Georgios Gerapetritis, by which Turkey, among other countries, is included in the National List of Safe Third Countries as a “safe third country” for specific categories of applicants for international protection.

The CIA explicitly provides for the designation of Turkey as a safe third country for applicants for international protection whose country of origin is Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Somalia.

According to the Ministry of Immigration, the decision will allow the immediate rejection of asylum applications of those migrants from the above countries who have illegally entered Greece from Turkey, and their return. The return of those who remain in the country illegally is a key priority, the ministry noted.

The EIA was published after the Council of State annulled a previous joint ministerial decision, ruling that there was insufficient documentation and justification for designating Turkey as a safe third country. According to the Ministry of Immigration, the new decision was issued carrying full justification, in compliance with the ruling of the Council of State.