Prime Minister Mitsotakis calls for increased co-operation in the fight against irregular migration

Prime Minister Kiryakos Mitsotakis demanded increased co-operation with the countries of origin of irregular migrants in the fight against irregular migration and the repatriation of those who are not entitled to asylum. Mitsotakis also emphasised the need to take measures against the climate crisis and floods.

Making statements in Valletta, the capital of Malta, where he travelled as part of the European Union (EU) member Southern European Countries (MED9) Summit, Mr Mitsotakis thanked the countries that provided aid to Greece during the flood and fire disasters this year.

Miçotakis pointed to the climate crisis as the main cause of these disasters and said, "It affects the Mediterranean much more intensely than other regions. This should not only be a cause for concern, it should be a reason for us to take action as soon as possible."

Emphasising that measures should be taken in the short term as well as long-term measures against the climate crisis, Mitsotakis noted that the budget allocated by the EU for disasters is also insufficient.

Legal routes for migration to the EUMichotakis stated that he agreed with Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni and French President Emmanuel Macron on irregular migration and said: "At the end of the day, we have demonstrated the need to determine who comes to the EU on our own terms. Today, people smugglers decide who enters Europe. This must change."

Emphasising that more cooperation is needed with the countries where irregular migrants cross to Europe, Mitsotakis said: "We need to focus on repatriations and ensure that people who are not entitled to asylum return to their home countries."

Miçotakis emphasised the need to focus on legal migration routes and said: "We must emphasise the protection of our borders, but at the same time offer opportunities for people to come to the EU and help our economic development. But on our terms and in a safe way."

Mitsotakis called for more EU investment to ensure strategic independence in areas such as defence or green energy, saying that financial constraints imposed within the Union were an obstacle to such investment.