PM, Avramopoulos discuss migration, improved living conditions top priority

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis set improved living conditions for refugees and migrants and the more effective patrolling of Greek and EU borders as the top priorities for the government in dealing with migration at a meeting in Athens today with European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos.

Mitsotakis then met with the competent ministers to set priorities in dealing with the refugee and migration issues.

The PM chaired a meeting with Citizen's Protection Minister Michalis Chrisohoidis, Alternate Citizen's Protection Minister for Migration Policy Yorgos Koumoutsakos, and Shipping and Island Policy Minister Yannis Plakiotakis.

Six priorities set

At the meeting six priorities were set and the PM asked his ministers to pursue them with the technical assistance of the European Commission:

1. Immediate improvement of living conditions for refugees and migrants in Greece with a particular focus on vulnerable groups and above all unaccompanied children.

2. Enhanced guarding of the common Greek and European borders, especially maritime borders, with a new, comprehensive plan that will place the European force under Greek command with clear operational rules of engagement. The plan provides for the best use of EU Frontex forces, intensification of Hellenic Coast Guard patrols, an upgrading of material and technical equipment, and full and transparent utilisation of European funds.

3. An overhaul by the end of 2019 of the institutional framework for granting international protection (asylum) aiming at issuing asylum more swiftly, justly, and effectively.

4. More faithful implementation of the March, 2016, EU-Turkey Statement on migration in order to manage migration flows and to lighten the...