Greece Calls for Migration Reform, Tougher Return Policies at MED5 Talks

09:20 14/4/2025 - Πηγή: iEfimerida

Greek Migration Minister Makis Voridis called for urgent reforms to Europe’s migration policy following high-level MED5 talks in Naples, citing contradictions between labor market needs and ineffective legal migration routes, as well as shortcomings in asylum enforcement.

Speaking after a two-day meeting of Mediterranean countries responsible for migration policy—Italy, Greece, Cyprus, Spain,

and Malta—Mr. Voridis said Greece is facing a dual challenge.

The country has a labor shortage in key sectors like agriculture and construction, yet ineffective legal channels for labor migration have left Greece dealing with undocumented migrants whose asylum applications were rejected but who remain in the country.

“The mandate I have from Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis is to address this deeply irrational situation,” Mr. Voridis said. “We need foreign workers, yet the system to bring them legally isn’t functioning.

At the same time, we’re dealing with rising numbers of illegal migrants. That’s a contradiction and a dysfunction in the current migration policy.”

The Greek minister emphasized the need for a robust returns mechanism, stating that there can be no credible asylum system without the ability to return those who are not granted protection.

“Otherwise, everyone stays—some legally, some illegally—but they all stay,” he said. Mr. Voridis added that both voluntary and mandatory returns must become a political priority across the EU, noting that this sentiment was shared by the European Commission and fellow MED5 ministers.

The discussions in Naples come as the European Union works to implement the recently adopted Pact on Migration and Asylum by June 2026. Mr. Voridis said Greece is already ahead of many member states in implementing key parts of the pact, including identification, registration, and first reception procedures, due to experience gained during previous migration surges.

He also welcomed progress on a new EU regulation aimed at strengthening return procedures, currently under negotiation. Greece intends to move quickly on aspects of that regulation, aiming to legislate ahead of the formal rollout.

“We must increase the pace of returns for illegal migrants while also reforming our legal pathways to meet labor market demands,” Mr. Voridis said. “Both elements are top political priorities and are clearly reflected in the joint statement we adopted here in Naples.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Voridis underscored the need for a crisis management plan, as outlined in the migration pact, to guide EU states in handling sudden influxes of migrants due to war, disaster, or political upheaval.

He said Greece will work closely with Brussels to help shape that plan and advance key aspects of the new return framework.

The MED5 meeting occurs amid continued pressure on southern EU states that remain frontline destinations for irregular migration, with tensions persisting between member states over responsibility-sharing and border control.

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