Greece calls on EU to help countries stop influx of Afghan migrants into Europe

Greece's Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Monday called on the EU to help countries neighbouring Afghanistan to stop a new influx of migrants into Europe from the Taliban-controlled country.

The return of the hardline group to power in Kabul on 15 August has plunged the future of many Afghans into uncertainty and sparked concern that millions may head to Europe as they flee the war-torn country.

Mr Mitsotakis said "it is important for the European Union to support the countries close to Afghanistan, in order to make sure that we won't have additional flows in Europe".

During a meeting on Monday with European Parliament Vice-President Roberta Metsola, Mr Mitsotakis said that Greece has managed to avert mass migration in the past and will do so "with the same policy" this time as well.

Also on Monday, government spokesman Yannis Oikonomou said that Athens will not "take lightly any possible escalation of the immigration and refugee issue".

Greece was reinforcing its land border with Turkey, officials said, with local reports detailing that a 40-kilometre extension of the fence in Evros is in its final stages.

New drones, cameras and radars have been installed and an additional 250 border guards will also soon be hired.

Mr Mitsotakis spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan about potential migration from Afghanistan on Friday.

The Greek government said "the two leaders discussed the necessity of supporting (Afghanistan's) immediate neighbours so Afghans stay as close to home as possible".

Greece currently hosts 40,000 Afghan asylum seekers and refugees, who made up most migrants arriving in Greece, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

It was on the frontline of the migrant crisis in 2015 when more than a million people crossed from Turkey into the EU.

Share this post