ATHENS, Greece – On Thursday, Magnus Brunner, the new European Union commissioner for migration and internal affairs, arrived in Athens for discussions aimed at shaping policies related to migration issues. Greece has for years served as a principal entryway for migrants entering the EU.
Brunner, an Austrian conservative who assumed his role late last year, has highlighted the urgent need to strengthen EU regulations concerning deportations, a topic that stirs debate among the bloc’s 27 member states. Last year, EU legislators endorsed a significant revision of migration regulations collectively referred to as the Pact on Migration and Asylum.
At the outset of his meeting with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Brunner remarked, “There are some tasks that lie ahead of us, particularly the implementation of the Pact.” He also emphasized the necessity of addressing migrant returns, expressing optimism despite being new to the role. “I believe we will achieve this,” he stated.
Greece has adopted a firm stance on immigration amid calls from several EU countries for stricter controls. The government maintains its dedication to a “strict but fair” policy, which targets illegal migration and the operations of smuggling rings. However, Greece has faced severe criticism for rapidly deporting newly arrived migrants without allowing them the opportunity to file for asylum—a practice described as “pushbacks,” which the government denies taking part in.
Mitsotakis remarked, “Greece has been at the forefront of the migration crisis for many years.” He expressed satisfaction with the advancements made in Europe towards redefining the migration policy to prioritize external border protection while emphasizing the importance of facilitating legal migration pathways.
During his visit, Brunner also held discussions with Greece’s officials responsible for migration, maritime affairs, and foreign relations before departing for meetings in Cyprus on Friday.
Brunner’s trip to Greece comes shortly after a significant ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that determined the country had unlawfully deported a woman back to Turkey and noted that pushbacks had become a systematic practice. This ruling is poised to influence how Europe approaches migrant management at its borders. Frontline EU nations receive financial aid from Brussels to manage illegal migration effectively.
The court ordered Greece to pay damages amounting to 20,000 euros (approximately $21,000) to a Turkish woman identified only by her initials, A.R.E., after ruling that she had been wrongfully expelled in 2019 without the chance to seek asylum.
The court’s ruling suggested there were substantial indications of a systematic “pushback” practice employed by Greek authorities, specifically for third-country nationals along the Evros border with Turkey.
Greece experienced over 60,000 illegal migrant arrivals last year, nearly a 50% increase compared to 2023. The country is advocating for direct EU funding to support the planned construction of a border wall along its land border with Turkey.
