Debate: Migration situation at the Greek-Turkish border and the EU's common response to it
Date: TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2020
Speaker: Ylva Johansson
Language: EN

I will not repeat what I said in my introductory speech because many of you have asked the same questions that are actually addressed there, but let me just say these things. We need secure external borders. They must be staffed well and managed well. Therefore, Frontex has an important role to play, and it’s important that the standing corps become a reality.  With Member States supporting Greece, the European Union can stand strong because we stand together, but the reason that we can stand strong is because of our values. We must show that the EU holds fast the fundamental rights even in difficult times. The circumstances that the Greek border is under are serious and exceptional, but the right to asylum is a fundamental right and enshrined in the EU Treaty and international law. I expect Greece to comply with fundamental rights and with the right to access the asylum process.  As already mentioned, I’m going to Greece to hold discussions with the Greek Government on Thursday, and the following day the Justice and Home Affairs Council will meet to discuss further initiatives to be taken together. I was asked here about the extra money that we would like to allocate if needed to the Greece Action Plan, and this is of course something that we need to discuss together with Parliament. If necessary, it would be aimed at providing even more money than the first EUR 350 million. Hopefully we can achieve a more stable situation, but we have to be prepared, because what we need is de-escalation, dialogue and concrete actions.  I hear many of you argue for a new deal on migration and asylum to be presented soon – arguing for the importance of getting out of the impasse that we have been in for many years in Council – and for agreement to be reached on a sustainable common European migration and asylum policy with the right balance between solidarity and responsibility. I fully agree with this. Since the von der Leyen Commission took office on 1 December, I have worked very, very hard to find a fresh start for this new agreement that I hope to present after Easter. I have been in dialogue with all 27 Member States – this has involved a lot of travelling but was before the coronavirus, so it was easier – and I have lots of dialogues with Parliament, and I hope for more good dialogue to find a solution that is sustainable for a common European approach, because this is what we really need. To conclude, I would like to say this. Many of you have stressed the importance of relocation of vulnerable (people), especially from the overcrowded camps on the Greek islands. I do share this view. It’s of fundamental importance. Member States have shown strong solidarity (with) and support for Greece that is now under pressure to protect its external borders with Turkey, which are also EU external borders and therefore very important. I now call on the Member States – on all Member States – to show the same solidarity and support towards the vulnerable, the minors, in refugee camps that need to be relocated and welcomed in other Member States.