Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, delivered a clear and firm message in support of a strict migration policy and robust return mechanisms, from Cairo, where he attended the 2nd Ministerial Conference of the Khartoum Process on April 9, 2025, according to a statement from the Ministry.
Minister Voridis emphasized that tackling migration effectively requires a comprehensive, realistic, and resolute approach. He stressed that a credible migration system cannot exist without functional return procedures, underlining that returns are not only key to the system’s effectiveness but also its credibility within the European migration and asylum framework.
“Greece consistently supports the return strategy and welcomes the fact that both the Cairo Ministerial Declaration and the accompanying Action Plan place this issue at the forefront,” he stated, urging participating states to deepen cooperation on this front.
Voridis also highlighted the importance of legal and organized migration, pointing to the Greece–Egypt mobility agreement as a model for bilateral partnerships. He reiterated that the positive aspects of migration depend on legality, regulation, and mutual benefit. “There is zero tolerance for the illegal practices of human traffickers,” he added.
Turning to the New European Pact on Migration and Asylum, the minister advocated for a balanced approach, calling for fair responsibility-sharing among EU member states and effective protection of the Union’s external borders. He also emphasized the need for the external dimension of the pact to take on practical substance through stronger collaboration with countries of origin and transit.
“Europe needs fewer words and more action. Partnerships must be binding and measurable—not vague declarations with no real outcome,” he asserted.
On the sidelines of the conference, minister Voridis held important bilateral meetings with Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, as well as with other senior officials. The focus of these talks was on enhancing the implementation of the Greece–Egypt mobility agreement.
