Greece Seeks ‘Alliances’ to Counter German Refoulement Policy

Greece is seeking to forge “alliances” with other European countries on the migration crisis, in the wake of Germany’s decision to implement fact-track procedures for the deportation and refoulement of asylum applicants, fearing a domino effect with other countries following the German lead.

Two high-ranking Greek government officials expressed the view that such an action by Germany would result in asylum applicants putting pressure on Greece as they would be forced to return to the country.

In an interview with public broadcaster ERT, Minister for Citizen Protection Michalis Chysochoidis pondered if other EU countries implemented the German initiative of refoulment it would eventually result in the migrants reaching Greece, Poland, and Bulgaria.

Along the same lines, Notis Mitarakis, who has served as Minister of Migration Policy, spoke about hypocrisy on the part of Germany, stating that it is “hypocritical of Germany to systematically accuse Greece of protecting European borders and preventing illegal arrivals, and now wanting to do the same, considering humanitarian responsibility to be solely the duty of frontline countries like Greece.”

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis sent a clear message, emphasizing during an interview on Talk Radio 98.9 that the solution to the issue cannot be the abolition of the Schengen Agreement.

Mitsotakis issued a warning to Germany regarding what is essentially the abolition of the Schengen Agreement. However, since last April, the German government has been taking advantage of the new European Migration Pact, which allows EU countries to decide whether to accept refugees from entry countries.

Italy and Greece, are bearing the brunt of the migration crisis, as they form the EU’s external borders. To offset the pressure on her country, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently reached a deal with Albania to transfer asylum seekers there.

Countries bordering Germany have also made it clear they would not accept the return of migrants from Germany. Besides Austria, which opposes the “upgrading” of German border controls, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has also been critical of Berlin’s decisions, calling for consultations with countries affected by Germany’s policies.

In this context, the presence of the Greek Minister for Asylum and Migration, Nikolaos Panagiotopoulos at upcoming Berlin Summit next week is considered to be of crucial significance.