Mitsotakis: Greece Can't Offer Refugees Better Benefits Than Citizens

During a visit to Vienna on Wednesday, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, alongside Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer, addressed pressing migration issues.

Mitsotakis condemned the influence of human traffickers on EU entry decisions and emphasised that EU member states should control these decisions. He expressed gratitude for Austria's support during Greece’s 2020 border crisis and highlighted the need for unified European action on external border protection.

Mitsotakis praised Greece's progress in managing migration, noting decreased flows from Turkey and improved border security. He also acknowledged the Austrian support for increased EU funding for Greece's land border protection and discussed the planned fence on the Evros River.

On legal migration, Mitsotakis outlined Greece’s agreements with countries like Egypt and stressed that the EU must uphold rule of law in the Western Balkans. He reiterated Greece’s commitment to an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East and warned of potential regional escalation.

Addressing energy costs, Mitsotakis noted that Europe faces higher prices than the US and called for increased investment in European energy infrastructure. He also argued that Greece cannot be expected to offer better social protections for refugees than for its own citizens, stressing the need for continued European support in managing migrant arrivals.