The EU Commission is committed to resuming the return of illegal immigrants from the Greek islands to Turkey said Adalbert Jahnz, European Commission spokesperson for home affairs during a press briefing yesterday.
During the briefing Jahnz confirmed that he had received a letter from the Greek Minister for Immigration and Asylum, Notis Mitarakis, informing him that Turkey refuses to accept returns from people who are not entitled to international protection and requested support for the resumption of returns.
Jahnz said that in his letter Mitarakis asked for help from Commission in order to emphasize to the Turkish authorities the need for full implementation of the Joint Declaration.
He also stressed that the Commission is aware of the challenges facing the Greek authorities and continues to support any effort to resume returns from the Greek islands.
"As for the situation on the Greek islands, there is a Joint Declaration, and our priority is to implement it," said Adalbert Jahnz , noting that the Commission is making enormous efforts to find broader solutions.
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