Greece to suspend processing asylum applications from north Africa for three months
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Greek prime minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has just told the parliament that Greece will suspend processing asylum applications for migrants arriving on boat from north Africa.
In comments reported by Kathimerini, he said the government would adopt a “legal, but absolutely strict” policy on migration, working with the Libyan authorities to prevent the boats from leaving the Libyan coast.
The recent spike in migration flows, including what he described as the emergency situation on Crete, required an urgent response from the government, he argued.
“The road to Greece is closing … any migrants entering illegally will be arrested and detained,” Mitsotakis told parliament.
The suspension will initially apply for three months.
The European Commission was earlier asked about reports of over 500 migrants arriving in Greece from Libya and whether the commission had any notification of this move from Athens.
“We are aware of the arrivals, we are in close touch with the authorities, and we will continue our engagement with partner countries across the Mediterranean as we’ve done in the past,” EU spokesperson Markus Lammert responded.
