Greece’s migration minister announced on Tuesday that the European Union plans to implement stricter migration measures in 2025, with an emphasis on increased deportations, while avoiding the hard-line tactics employed by the Trump administration.
“Using regular commercial flights for deportations is very different from sending migrants back shackled on military planes,” Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos told state broadcaster ERT. He added that for Europe, “Migration has shifted from primarily a humanitarian concern to fundamentally a security issue.”
EU migration and home affairs ministers are set to meet on Thursday in Warsaw, Poland, to discuss tougher measures against migration, a move backed by Poland’s current presidency of the bloc.
Greece, a major entry point for migrants fleeing war or seeking better opportunities, has experienced an increase in sea arrivals driven by ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The Greek government supports calls from several EU member states for direct EU funding to enhance border walls.
On Tuesday evening, Greek authorities reported the detention of 70 migrants near the tiny southern island of Gavdos, who were subsequently transferred to the nearby island of Crete.