Greece and US Deepen Migration Cooperation as Officials Meet on Returns, Border Security

Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris has met with a delegation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to expand cooperation on migration management, focusing on strengthening returns and countering irregular migration.

The meeting, held at Greece's Migration and Asylum Ministry, centered on combating illegal migration, effective implementation of the EU's new Migration and Asylum

According to a ministry statement, Mr. Plevris said Greece is implementing a strict but fair migration policy, effectively securing the European Union's external borders, accelerating asylum procedures, and prioritizing the return of individuals not entitled to international protection.

He said international cooperation remains essential to effectively countering illegal migration and human trafficking networks.

Friday's meeting builds on an expanding partnership between Greece's Migration Ministry and the Department of Homeland Security, which has intensified in recent months through joint training programs, technical knowledge exchange and operational cooperation on migration management and returns, the ministry said.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, drawing on shared expertise to improve migration management, strengthen security, and promote legal, orderly migration pathways.

The meeting comes as Greece continues to tout sharp declines in irregular migration in recent years, with government officials citing figures showing arrivals on islands like Lesbos falling from tens of thousands during the 2015-2016 migration crisis to just a few hundred today.

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Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris has met with a delegation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to expand cooperation on migration management, focusing on strengthening returns and countering irregular migration.

The meeting, held at Greece's Migration and Asylum Ministry, centered on combating illegal migration, effective implementation of the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact, and the role of deportations as a core pillar of credible migration policy. Officials also discussed exchanging best practices between the two countries' relevant agencies to improve operational effectiveness.

According to a ministry statement, Mr. Plevris said Greece is implementing a strict but fair migration policy, effectively securing the European Union's external borders, accelerating asylum procedures, and prioritizing the return of individuals not entitled to international protection.

He said international cooperation remains essential to effectively countering illegal migration and human trafficking networks.

Friday's meeting builds on an expanding partnership between Greece's Migration Ministry and the Department of Homeland Security, which has intensified in recent months through joint training programs, technical knowledge exchange and operational cooperation on migration management and returns, the ministry said.

Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation, drawing on shared expertise to improve migration management, strengthen security, and promote legal, orderly migration pathways.

The meeting comes as Greece continues to tout sharp declines in irregular migration in recent years, with government officials citing figures showing arrivals on islands like Lesbos falling from tens of thousands during the 2015-2016 migration crisis to just a few hundred today.

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