Greece has passed a law on the expedited deportation of migrants
The Greek Parliament has approved a bill that would expedite the deportation of asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected and allow for their transfer to centers outside the European Union.
Under the new rules, the deportation of migrants to so-called “return centers” outside the EU will become possible after the conclusion of bilateral agreements with third countries.
Authorities note that such mechanisms could be implemented following the conclusion of relevant international agreements.
Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris stated that European governments are already negotiating with countries outside the EU with the aim of establishing the first such centers around 2027.
“The Greek government has already held consultations with two African countries,” Plevris said, without specifying which countries he was referring to.
Greece, the southernmost country of the European Union in the Mediterranean region and a major migration route, has been on the front lines of the migration crisis since 2015–2016, when more than a million people from the Middle East and Africa crossed EU borders in search of asylum.
Although the number of arrivals has decreased since then, in recent years there has been an increase in migration pressure on the islands of Crete and Gavdos, where boats carrying migrants, mainly from Libya, are arriving.
Changes in migration policy are also taking place at the EU level. Last week, EU member states and lawmakers agreed on new rules allowing rejected asylum seekers to be sent to centers in third countries. This decision has drawn criticism from human rights organizations.
At the same time, it is noted that these rules still need to be finally approved by the EU Council and the European Parliament.
This was reported by Reuters.
Earlier, EU member states agreed on legislative changes intended to speed up deportations and increase their number, particularly by allowing rejected asylum seekers to be sent to centers outside the European Union.
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