Greek Minister Calls Criticism Of Tougher Migration Policies A ‘badge Of Honor’

ATHENS, Greece — Greece’ s migration curate connected Monday called disapproval from quality authorities groups a “badge of honor” and vowed to further toughen migration policies he called “the toughest — if not nan toughest — successful Europe.”

Thanos Plevris’ comments to backstage broadcaster Action 24 came arsenic Greece’s blimpish government, facing a emergence successful migrant arrivals crossing nan Mediterranean from eastbound Libya, pursues person practice pinch authorities successful nan divided North African state and backs tougher migration measures crossed nan European Union.

“Let maine show you something: nan days erstwhile bureaucrats from Brussels aliases nan United Nations could conscionable show up and dictate really Greece handles nan migration situation are over,” Plevris declared.

European countries want migrant centers successful Africa

Greece, on pinch immoderate different EU personnel states, is successful talks pinch African countries astir establishing centers successful those countries for migrants whose asylum claims person been rejected successful Europe, a connection that has drawn disapproval from world authorities groups.

Plevris based on that authorities groups and charities assisting migrants had nary domiciled successful shaping Greek migration policy.

“Every clip U.N. envoys definitive interest complete my legislation, it makes maine proud of that legislation,” he said. “The much Amnesty International, nan U.N. precocious commissioner for refugees aliases U.N. envoys are irritated by our migration policy, nan much I position it arsenic a badge of honor.”

Libyan envoy visits Greece arsenic arrivals spike

Saddam Hifter, lawman commandant of eastbound Libya’s equipped forces, was successful Athens connected Monday for meetings pinch Foreign Minister George Gerapetritis and Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

Greece is offering eastbound Libya’s authorities seashore defender training, arsenic good arsenic support for employment programs and finance initiatives, successful an effort to fortify practice and curb migrant departures crossed nan Mediterranean.

The EU past week approved tougher migration measures contempt a diminution successful migrant crossings from North Africa and nan Middle East.

Greece, however, has recorded a surge successful arrivals connected nan land of Crete from eastbound Libya. Arrivals and interceptions disconnected Crete roseate much than 20% to 5,500 done May compared pinch nan aforesaid play past year, according to information issued by Greek authorities Monday, pinch nan gait expanding since early June.

Libya has go a awesome transit hub for migrants from Africa and nan Middle East seeking to scope Europe. Human trafficking networks person flourished successful Libya during much than a decade of instability, smuggling migrants done borders pinch six neighbors: Chad, Niger, Sudan, Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia.

Jalel Harchaoui, an expert specializing successful Libyan authorities and security, said eastbound Libya is seeking person negotiated ties pinch European countries and financial assistance.

Gatopoulos and Khaled constitute for nan Associated Press. Khaled reported from Cairo.