The role and funding of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) operating in the field of migration were the focus of a recent meeting between the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy, Vasilis Kikilias, and the Minister of Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, raising serious questions of transparency.

Sources from the Ministry of Shipping revealed that at least seven case files reportedly involve NGOs in facilitating human trafficking networks, specifically in the illegal transportation of migrants into Greece and onward to Europe.

According to the same sources, these investigations have been delayed due to the legal and procedural complexity of the cases, which are being handled at different levels of the judicial system.

Given these circumstances, financial audits of NGO funding are deemed necessary to ensure legality and transparency in their activities, particularly in the North Aegean region.

During the meeting, the two ministers also discussed the possibility of imposing sanctions on NGOs implicated in illegal migrant trafficking. Migration Minister Voridis committed to initiating reforms to the institutional framework to cut funding to NGOs found to be involved in such activities.

“We’ve agreed that there will be an exchange of information, and if legislative action is needed in this direction from the Ministry of Migration, we are ready to move forward immediately,” said Mr. Voridis.

Kikilias emphasized the need to review the full scope of these case files:

“We have 18,500 miles of coastline and maritime borders that must be guarded — that is the duty of the Coast Guard and my responsibility,” he stated.
“I asked the Minister to examine all these pending case files concerning the role of NGOs in Greece — specifically regarding the legal framework within which they should operate and the transparency of their funding,” Kikilias added.