The first official meeting of the European Commission with the new Greek Government took place today in Athens. European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Mr. Dimitris Avramopoulos met with the Prime Minister of Greece Mr. Kyriakos Mitsotakis at the Maximos Mansion followed by an inter-ministerial meeting with the Prime Minister, the Minister of State Mr. Giorgos Gerapetritis, the Minister for Citizen Protection Mr. Michalis Chrysohoidis, the Minister of Shipping and Island Policy Mr. Yannis Plakiotakis, as well as the Alternate Minister of Migration Policy Mr. Giorgos Koumoutsakos.
The main topics discussed during the meetings were migration management, as well as the acceleration of the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement and the priorities for internal security issues.
More specifically, discussions focused on the coordination of actions and all stakeholders in order to accelerate asylum procedures and improve conditions in reception centres, with particular emphasis on the protection of unaccompanied minors and vulnerable migrants. The support of the European Commission and the European Agencies to Greece, including the funding available to the country, were also discussed.
With regard to security issues, the progress made by Greece in the implementation of important European Directives, such as the fight against terrorism, the fight against firearms trafficking and PNR (Passenger Name Record), were raised.
Ahead of the Informal Meeting of Ministers for Justice and Home Affairs in Helsinki on Thursday, July 18, the priorities of the Finnish Presidency were also discussed, as well as the need to reform the Common European Asylum System, including the Dublin Regulation.
Finally, the European Commission expressed its full and continuous political, financial and operational support to the Greek Government.