Worrying increase of migrant flows in the Aegean

Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Giorgos Koumoutsakos tells Kathimerini of new ‘corridor’ between Alexandroupoli and Samothraki

The Greek government is deeply concerned over the reported 17 percent increase in migrant and refugee arrivals in recent weeks, says Alternate Minister for Citizens’ Protection Giorgos Koumoutsakos, who is responsible for Greece’s migration policy, in an interview with Kathimerini. More than 20,000 people are currently stranded on the Greek islands of Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros.

Koumoutsakos says the new government inherited a “closed” system of constant inflows and very limited outflows. He speaks of a nascent migration corridor between Alexandroupoli and Samothraki in northeast Greece, and warns of the additional strain on an already tense situation caused by overcrowding on island as well as mainland facilities. The conservative minister also stresses that recent threats by Turkish officials combined with tension in Ankara’s ties with Brussels and Washington are a cause for serious concern. Still, he recognizes that Turkey has shouldered a significant burden, and through that prism notes that Athens wants to cooperate on the issue with its neighbor to the East. You have just visited Mytilene. What is the situation regarding the flows from Turkey toward the islands?

The situation we inherited was particularly difficult right from the beginning: overcrowding in the five hotspots on the islands, a situation where 25 mainland structures have reached the limits of their capacities, inadequate infrastructure and insufficient personnel, especially lengthy procedures when it comes to reviewing asylum applications, and, as a consequence of all that, an increasing strain on local communities. In a nutshell, a combination of complex problems that no longer have easy solutions. I traveled to Lesvos because the messages we received are worrying, and this despite the fact that, as Citizens’ Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis has stressed, the authorities are carrying out their duties under very difficult conditions and ensuring the proper functioning of the local economy and social calm on the island. Increased flows are being observed, which are generating even more pressure on an already asphyxiating situation at the Migrant Reception and Identification Center in Moria. There has been an intensification of migrant and refugee flows during 2019, particularly over the past few months. Today there are more than 20,000 refugees and migrants on Lesvos, Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros. This constitutes an increase of 17 percent in a few weeks. This increase occurred while the pace of flows rose substantially. Since July 7, there has not been a day without arrivals. Indicatively, on Lesvos, we have had an increase of 44 percent compared to the same period last year. August 9 was one of the worst days this summer for Lesvos, as six boats with 250 people arrived. It is not just the numbers. It is also the geographic dissemination. Migrant smugglers are seeking to spread the flows to more Aegean islands. Thus, the geographic scope of remedial actions is also expanding. Over the past few months, a new “corridor” has been created between Alexandroupoli and the island of Samothraki. An additional reason for further reflection is the geopolitical overheating in the broader region, which could lead to a new increase in flows. All the above confirm the fact that the situation is very complicated and multifaceted. Regarding the migration issue, in the recent past we have heard threatening statements by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, as well as other high-level Turkish officials addressed to Europe.

We needn’t overdramatize these statements. Similar statements have been made in the past. But they cannot be ignored. The intensity in style and content, and particularly their recent frequency, at a juncture when relations between Ankara and Brussels and Washington are another factor that needs to be taken into account. Cooperation on migration with Turkey, which has taken a heavy burden when it comes to the effects of the refugee crisis, is of special importance for both ‘The fact that Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has set the migration issue very high in her list of priorities is a positive development,’ says Koumoutsakos. ‘I hope that this will contribute to soon reaching an agreement on the Common European Asylum System, including the Dublin 4 regulation, on the basis of genuine and concrete solidarity.’ countries. This is why one of the first meetings I had upon assuming my functions was with the Turkish Ambassador in Athens Burak Ozugergin. During our meeting, I informed him of our willingness for constructive cooperation in the framework of the European Union-Turkey Statement on the migration-refugee issue, a cooperation that should be decoupled from the existing difficulties in the context of our bilateral relations. What effect has the EU-Turkey Statement had when it comes to returns of illegal migrants?

It has had a relieving effect. However, it can and must perform much more effectively. The previous government performed poorly on the issue of returns, and Turkey is not succeeding in the necessary eradication of the smugglers’ networks, and is not as effective in the strict surveillance of its coasts. We also have to address Turkey’s refusal to accept the return of migrants from the Greek mainland – only those who have entered Greece via the islands [and are still there] – a situation to which the previous government contributed by adopting an unjustifiably passive stance. These issues can be better addressed through hard work, mutual understanding and good will. Dealing effectively with the migration-refugee issue is in the interest of both countries. The successful implementation of the statement is a challenge and a gamble also for Europe, since it was agreed by EU heads of state and government. I stressed these points to the foreign policy adviser of Chancellor Angela Merkel, Jan Hecker, whom I met recently, in view of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ visit to Berlin, during which migration will be one of the core issues to be addressed. What about cooperation with the EU and the intentions of the new president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen?

Cooperation with the Commission is fundamental when it comes to addressing the refugee issue. In previous years, actions undertaken by the relevant commissioners, Dimitris Avramopoulos and Christos Stylianides, have helped in achieving this result. Now, we have to cooperate with a new Commission. We do not know who will assume these “portfolios” which are critical for Greece. Greece, being a front-line country which also serves as part of EU’s external border, which has exhausted its capacity on this issue, is looking forward to efficient cooperation with the Commission and the member-states. The fact that the new Commission president has set the migration issue very high in her list of priorities is a positive development. I hope it will contribute to soon reaching an agreement on the Common European Asylum System, including the Dublin 4 regulation, on the basis of genuine and concrete solidarity. Until then, Greece is looking forward to transitional European mechanisms, for a fairer sharing of the burden and for a more effective return policy toward third countries. Regarding the latter, we are working on a proposal-initiative for an EU approach to the issue and in this context we are in contact with Cyprus and other member-states in order for them to support it. Are you still concerned about the situation in Syria?

Currently, according to data, only a small percentage of those entering Greece originate from Syria. The majority are from Afghanistan and Pakistan, but also other countries, including in Sub-Saharan Africa. However, the improvement of the situation on the ground in Syria will act as a catalyst so as not to have any more flows, as well as for Syrian refugees to return to their homeland. That said, the latest information forces us to be extremely cautious. I am specifically referring to the situation in Idlib province, which we are following closely. The EU needs a more effective foreign policy if it does not want to just observe developments, especially regarding its immediate neighborhood, as in the Middle East region, and as a consequence suffer the consequences. What situation did you inherit at the ministry, and what is your political perspective when it comes to addressing the migration-refugee issue?

The Ministry of Migratory Policy was fragmented, lacking a single culture among its services, spread across six different buildings. It had insufficient infrastructure, time-consuming procedures and a broader notion of a loose application and implementation of decisions. Responsible and serious people with good intentions did exist there. However, their hands were tied by the ideological approach emanating from SYRIZA, when it came to dealing with this issue. A notion that was, in appearance, supposedly protecting human rights, in the end, as it proved, led to their suppression, with inhuman conditions prevailing at Moria, Idomeni and elsewhere. Our government’s approach – democratic stringency – will replace this ideological looseness of SYRIZA. Respect for human rights, as well as strong protection of the essential good of security, are fundamental principles that have to coexist in a consistent migratory policy. We inherited a “closed” system with continuous inflows and very few outflows. Our task is very difficult. We are determined to succeed.