{"id":10634,"date":"2025-07-23T11:42:58","date_gmt":"2025-07-23T08:42:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/mitarakis.gr\/?p=10634"},"modified":"2025-07-23T11:43:22","modified_gmt":"2025-07-23T08:43:22","slug":"mitarachi-to-dw-news-quot-we-cannot-allow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mitarakis.gr\/en\/mitarachi-to-dw-news-quot-we-cannot-allow\/","title":{"rendered":"Mitarachi to DW News: “We cannot allow smugglers to decide who comes and who lives in the European Union”"},"content":{"rendered":"

In an interview with DW News<\/strong>, the Parliamentary Spokesperson of New Democracy<\/strong> and former Minister of Migration and Asylum, Mr. Notis Mitarachi<\/strong>, responded to key questions regarding migration policy, European responsibility, and returns. He emphasized the hybrid nature of the pressure<\/strong> Greece\u2014and particularly Crete<\/strong>\u2014is facing from Libya<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe have experienced a hybrid pressure, a hybrid threat in Crete, arising from Libya. Smugglers are now running an organized operation, trying to move thousands of people\u2014economic migrants seeking a better future. I understand that. But let me be clear: we cannot allow smugglers to decide who comes and who lives in the European Union.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Responding to a question about whether the European Union has left Greece alone to deal with this issue, he underlined that “the recently adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum has made progress in promoting solidarity, but the Dublin Regulation<\/strong> still dominates. The country of first reception holds the main responsibility. Greece has proposed the creation of a common European protection space<\/strong>, but Northern countries disagree<\/strong> and continue to shift the burden onto us.\u201d<\/p>\n

On the issue of migrant detention for up to 18 months, Mr. Mitarachi defended the legality of the framework, stating that \u201cunder national and international law, people who are to be returned can be detained. This has been the legal framework in Greece for many years. People not eligible for international protection must be returned<\/strong>. It is critical to protect the concept of asylum. Europe has failed to ensure effective returns<\/strong>. Countries of transit and origin have not cooperated<\/strong>, and this has created negative sentiment<\/strong> among European societies.\u201d<\/p>\n

Addressing opposition claims that this practice is unconstitutional, he stressed that \u201cit is an act of Parliament. It has not been challenged in the Supreme Court, and no decision exists<\/strong> that supports the opposition\u2019s position. There are people on the Left who believe countries should have no borders. That is not our position<\/strong>, and I believe it is no longer the position of the majority of Europeans<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Finally, regarding the impact on tourism and local communities, Mr. Mitarachi noted \u201cwe have an obligation to those applying for asylum, but also to local communities<\/strong>. I often received letters about the conditions of asylum seekers\u2014very rarely, however, did I receive letters asking about the impact on the local population. When a large number of arrivals occurs in small areas, it obviously drains our resources<\/strong> and harms social cohesion<\/strong>. People have the right to live in safety and dignity in their own homes<\/strong>.\u201d<\/p>\n