site.btaGreek Migration Minister Mitarachi: Schengen Enlargement Will Have Direct Benefits for All Countries Involved

A Greece initiative for the removal of the obstacles to the integration of Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen zone will dominate the agenda of the Sofia visit of Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi Monday. Last week, he presented the initiative in Austria which is one of the countries with objections to Schengen enlargement, and this coming week he will be visiting Bulgaria and Romania.

In an exclusive interview for BTA, Mitarachi said that Schengen enlargement will have direct benefits for all countries involved and believes that Bulgaria could become a key ally for Greece and for the European Union in dealing with the migration crisis. “The logic of Schengen is to primarily strengthen the security of the external borders, so there is where we need to further support Bulgaria and Romania in order for them to successfully cope with the increased requirements,” said the Greek Minister.

Bulgaria has been under immense pressure from the migration flows for several years and has shown that it can cope with the problem, he also said adding that with the future accession to the Schengen zone, any bureaucratic obstacles that exist at the moment will be overcome so that the protection of the external European borders is a common issue. Bulgaria is willing to contribute, it has proven it, and Greece is an ally in this effort. We should, in cooperation with the Presidency and the Commission, take all necessary actions, together, to further strengthen the security of the European Union.

Mitarachi further told BTA that Greece has a strict but fair migration policy where the cornerstone is protecting its borders. He hopes that Greece’ neighbors will learn from the successful Greek practices of the last four years, thus further protect the borders of the EU. By contrast, the open-borders approach that Athens pursued in 2015 led to thousands of migrant deaths, unbearable pressure inside the country and images of shame from refugee camps, the Minister added.

He cited statistics showing that in 2015-2016 Greece got two-thirds of the migration flows to Europe and now this share is down to 9%.

He called for more solidarity with the front line countries because “now is time for all of us to prove that the principles that unite us are here and that they are not just words written in papers and agreements”.

Asked about his forecast for the exact time of accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen, Mitarachi expressed hope for considerable progress in 2023. 

Here is the full interview:

Q: Mr. Minister, what are the main issues you will discuss in Sofia on January 16?

A: Greece took an initiative for the removal of the obstacles to the integration of Bulgaria but also of Romania into the Schengen zone, therefore this will be the main topic of discussion. We will also discuss the problems around the migration crisis, which both countries are struggling with. We realize that also Bulgaria has recently been facing an increased migratory pressure and Greece is on its side, so that solutions can be found from both countries, since, obviously, the treatment of the issue by the one directly affects the other.

Q: Greece declares its steadfast support to Bulgaria for its accession to the Schengen area. Some countries, however, have reservations about the way in which migration is managed in Bulgaria, both in terms of border protection and of the registration of asylum seekers. What is the impression of the Greek side about the management of migration in Bulgaria, i.e. do you consider that the weak point on the external borders of the EU is really here, as the issue is sometimes presented?

A: Bulgaria has been under suffocating pressure from the migration flows for several years and has shown that it can cope with the problem. There will always be problems, however with Bulgaria being a member of the EU and in the future in the Schengen zone, any bureaucratic obstacles that exist at the moment will be overcome so that the protection of the external European borders is a common issue. Bulgaria is willing to contribute, it has proven it, and Greece is an ally in this effort. We should, in cooperation with the Presidency and the Commission, take all necessary actions, together, to further strengthen the security of the European Union.

Q: There are fears that the accession of Bulgaria and Romania to Schengen would mean the abolition of many border control points between the Middle East and Western Europe and would facilitate the passage of irregular migrants through the Balkan route. What will be the real effect of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania on the security of the external European borders and why?

A: This enlargement will have direct benefits for all countries involved and for Greece, as we will now be united by road, within the Schengen zone, with the rest of the Member States of the European Union. The logic of Schengen is to primarily strengthen the security of the external borders, so there is where we need to further support Bulgaria and Romania in order for them to successfully cope with the increased requirements.

A: How would this specifically affect the problem of migration in Greece?

Q: Greece has limited the effects of the migration crisis to a significant extent. Greece maintains a policy of guarding its borders and will continue to do so regardless of whether its neighbors are members of the Schengen zone or not. Greece has a strict but fair migration policy, the cornerstone of which is guarding its borders. In our country, in 2015, the current opposition and then government decided to change its policy and adopt that of open borders. The result was thousands of migrant deaths, unbearable pressure inside the country and images of shame from refugee camps. For our part, as I said before, we want our neighboring countries to "learn" from the successful practices of the last four years, thus further protecting the borders of the EU.

Q: What will be the joint migration control measures that Greece and Bulgaria will take following Bulgaria's accession to Schengen and the abolition of controls between the two countries?

A:With the adequate support and expertise from Europe, Bulgaria could become a key ally for Greece and for the European Union in dealing with the migration crisis. Greece, for example, is a pioneer in registering asylum seekers through modern digital means and with remarkable speed and Bulgaria could learn from this process. Sensitive spots exist along not only Bulgaria, but also throughout Eastern Europe and the Balkan peninsula. Frontex, Europe and the countries of the Union should become pillars of support for the countries on the front line, such as Bulgaria and Greece.

Q: When do you personally think that Bulgaria will join the Schengen area, judging by the intentions of the individual member states?

A:I would like to believe that we will be able to achieve substantial progress within 2023 and Greece is contributing towards this direction.

Q: Recently, migratory flows originating from Turkiye seem to be bypassing Greece to a certain extent and to be heading directly to Italy through the sea. How can this be explained and is it related to any measures taken by the Greek authorities?

A: What you describe is indeed a reality. While in 2015-2016 our country was receiving 2/3 of Europe's migratory flows, this percentage has now been drastically reduced to 9%. We have proven that with our border management policy we can deal with migratory flows and of course that we can prevent thousands of deaths, as the figures show. Then, precisely because we have stopped the uncontrolled flow of traffickers in the Aegean, they are now looking for new routes towards the EU and their natural destination is Italy, that is why traffickers starting from Turkiye and Lebanon choose to pile up the migrants in larger but equally unsuitable boats, risking many human lives.

Q: Greece and other countries on the "front line" of migration often insist on more European solidarity on the issue. Do you think that some practical steps towards this direction have already been taken and what else do you expect from your EU partners?

A: The truth is that we expect more solidarity. The front line countries have expressed this repeatedly, either through MED5 or in isolated cases, such as the recent letter that was sent by Greece, Italy, Malta and Cyprus to the European Union. Europe was built on the principles of unity and solidarity. We have raised this issue many times with our partners and we will continue to do so, until we see some action. Europe was not built on wishful thinking. Now is time for all of us to prove that the principles that unite us are here and that they are not just words written in papers and agreements.