Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002835/2025/rev.1
to the Commission
Rule 144
Galato Alexandraki (ECR)
Hundreds of irregular immigrants entering Greece, in particular Crete, by boat from Libya are being transferred to mainland Greece – to the Fylakio reception centre in the border region of Evros – for identification and temporary accommodation. They are held there for 24 days before being released with a temporary residence permit. This allows them to move freely within the country, without any checks, resulting in increased delinquency, fear and insecurity, and wide-ranging effects on the economy and social cohesion.
The Global Strategy for the European Union’s Foreign and Security Policy (June 2016) lists territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders as key elements of European security, and states that ensuring the security of EU citizens/territories is a common interest. Nonetheless, to date the EU has not taken serious steps to safeguard the inviolability of Greek borders and thus secure those of the EU.
In view of the above, can the Commission say:
- 1.What does the EU intend to do in the context of solidarity between the Member States in order to assist Greece, which – owing to its geographical location and proximity to Türkiye and North Africa – is the most exposed country in Europe in terms of illegal immigration?
- 2.Does it intend to put pressure on the countries of origin of migrants to take them back (refoulement), with clear sanctions if they fail to comply and without merely paying lip service?
Submitted: 11.7.2025