German and Greek Leaders Discuss Extending EU-Turkey Deal to Curb Migrant Influx
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis met in Berlin on Tuesday to address various bilateral challenges, including migration. One of the main topics discussed was the extension of the EU-Turkey deal in an effort to slow down the number of migrants entering the European Union (EU).
Greece, as a frontline state, emphasized the need for additional resources to tackle the migration issue, particularly in light of the potential pressures on their borders due to the new crisis in the Middle East. Mitsotakis expressed his concerns to reporters, stating that if Greece grants someone asylum, they should remain in Greece. Both leaders agreed that secondary migration is a problem for the entire EU.
Germany, despite having accepted millions of migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees over the years, is now seeking to curb the number of individuals hoping to settle in the country. The German government wants to ensure that asylum seekers who enter Greece do not later travel on to Germany.
Public opinion in Germany has shifted from the welcoming attitude towards refugees that prevailed in 2015 when over a million, mainly Syrian, refugees arrived in the country. The ongoing arrival of migrants, along with a recession and the aftermath of a pandemic, has made the German public and politicians more cautious.
While Greece is economically in a better position than it was in 2015, with growth in some sectors, the country is still looking for migrant workers to fill vacancies. As part of the discussions, Greece pledged to play a central role in transmitting green energy to southern Germany and act as an energy bridge between the Middle East, Egypt, and Europe.
One of the key challenges facing Europe is the varying levels of social and welfare support available in different countries within the EU. Germany’s high level of support makes it an attractive destination for many migrants and asylum seekers. Additionally, Germany’s courts tend to decide against sending asylum seekers originally granted asylum in Greece back to the country due to the lower standard of living and support available there.
Both German and Greek leaders are looking to renew and deepen the EU-Turkey migration pact signed in 2016. Greece has called on its EU partners to help finance the strengthening of the border fence along its land border with Turkey. Germany has expressed its support for this request.
German Chancellor Scholz emphasized that the EU-Turkey deal had positive effects and should be continued and further developed. Talks are currently ongoing between Brussels and Ankara regarding the pact. Mitsotakis highlighted Greece’s efforts to cooperate with Turkey in dealing with the refugee problem, including joint initiatives to limit the number of boats departing from Turkish shores to Greece.
According to the latest data from the UN Refugee Agency UNHCR, over 38,000 migrants have arrived in Greece from Turkey since the beginning of 2023. Since 2020, Turkey has refused to take back any rejected asylum seekers from Greece.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is scheduled to visit Chancellor Scholz in Berlin on Friday and will meet with Prime Minister Mitsotakis in Athens on December 7. Both meetings are expected to address the ongoing migrant crisis and potential cooperation between Turkey and Europe.
