Significant shift in migration flows to Crete is being recorded, while Aegean is experiencing a sharp decline, according to the Minister of Immigration and Asylum Thanos Plevris, speaking to ERTnews and George Siadima.

As he said, “at the moment the migratory pressure is essentially only in Crete”, noting that in the Aegean arrivals are “zero”, with a typical example being that in May only 438 arrivals were recorded from the Turkish coast, a number that now corresponds to daily flows of previous periods.

Crete at the heart of the flows

The minister stressed that about 70% of the migration flows are now directed to Crete, explaining that this is mainly due to the corridor from eastern Libya.

“Unlike in the Aegean, in the Libyan Sea, once a boat is in open waters, there can be no deterrence. This must be done at the starting point, by the Libyan authorities, he said.

At the same time, he said that cooperation with the Libyan authorities to deter departures is ongoing, noting however that the results have not yet reached the desired level.

Structures in Crete – Problem in Heraklion

When it comes to the management of arrivals, the minister noted that in Chania there is already a temporary structure in Agia – and an exemplary one at that – where arrivals are registered and separated:

  • those who do not meet asylum requirements are led to closed structures
  • those who have a refugee profile are included in the asylum process

However, in Heraklion there is still a problem, as no space has been found for a similar structure, due to opposition from local bodies.

“If there is no solution, it is not excluded that we will move unilaterally, although we prefer a consensual solution as in Chania,” he said.

Deterrent measures and returns

Pleyris argued that the stricter measures already taken have contributed to the reduction in flows, which reached 50% last year.

At the same time, he noteda 25% increase in applications for voluntary departure, attributing it to the fact that irregular migrants are now in detention rather than free residence.

New measures on the table – Possibility of suspending asylum

The minister left open the possibility of additional measures if the increasing trend of flows from Libya continues.

He said asylum suspension remains an available tool, but noted that the new European framework already allows for the detention of entrants, largely achieving the same objective.

“If necessary, we will go to additional measures, he said, noting that developments will depend on Libya’s attitude and the course of flows in the coming period.

Cooperation with Italy and Mediterranean countries

At the European level, the minister announced that on the 17th he will go to Rome for a meeting with his Italian counterpart on coordination between Greece and Italy to formulate a common stance in case of a further increase in migratory flows, particularly due to geopolitical developments.

Return centres in third countries

Mr. Plevris also referred to the plan to create return centres in third countries, noting that:

    • the target is agreement within 2026

    As he said, contacts are already underway with non-EU countries, mainly in Africa, while he stressed that the new European institutional framework now allows the implementation of the measure.

    Political developments and correlations

    On the political level, the minister assessed that the key challenge for the government remains to address the problems of citizens, noting that New Democracy remains the leading force despite losses.

    Referring to developments in the Central Left, he noted that in the coming period it will be seen whether Alexis Tsipras will dominate or PASOK will maintain its position, which, he said, will affect the political scene as a whole.

    Finally, regarding the possible creation of a new party by Antonis Samaras, he said that it would be a “different case” compared to other parties to the right of New Democracy, but expressed the assessment that the party maintains a strong core.