Greece and UK to collaborate on tackling migration crisis

Greece’s Ministry of Migration and Asylum on Wednesday announced the signing of an agreement with the United Kingdom in intelligence sharing and cooperation in their efforts to tackle the migration crisis.

According to the statement, Alternate Minister for Migration and Asylum Ministry George Koumoutsakos, and UK Justice Minister Chris Philp on Wednesday signed the collaboration agreement for information exchange and close cooperation of their border police and justice system to tackle the crisis.

Due to ‘social distancing’ requirements, the agreement was signed in Athens by the Minister in the presence of British ambassador to Greece Kate Smith and by Mr Philp in London.

According to a statement, the strategic plan provides for the reallocation of unaccompanied minors from Greece to the UK and the reunification of refugee children with relatives in the UK.

The judicial cooperation between the two countries will provide know-how in the process of asylum appeals. Translation support at refugee reception and identification centres and Greece’s Asylum Service are also foreseen in the agreement, while know-how in the field of returns is also a key aspect of practical cooperation.

Also, the Greek Coast Guard will stage joint search and rescue operations in the Aegean Sea with the UK’s Border Force.

The agreement also foresees the establishment of a strategic dialogue at the highest level at least once a year, in order to assess the progress and effectiveness of joint actions.