Commission: Letter – Immigration Greece lock according to Spiegel

For several years now, the Greek government has repeatedly been at the center of criticism over its immigration policy, but has blocked the work of non-governmental organizations. Now, according to an exclusive from Spiegel magazine, “the European Commission has sent a 41-page letter to the government in Athens, which includes a list of 27 “recommendations” for border security.

The latest action plan submitted by Greece is insufficient to fulfill its basic tasks – including strategic planning of border control capabilities, a stable staffing plan or risk analysis involving all national authorities and organizing their cooperation.

The European Commission’s director general for migration, Monique Baria, said in a letter to Greece’s Civil Protection Minister Panagiotis Theodorikakos that Athens should “as a matter of urgency” adopt a “national emergency plan for mass border crossings”.

Some of the deficiencies have been reported repeatedly since 2016, as the French official pointed out — which forces Athens to submit a progress report within a month and then twice a year.

Finally, Spiegel says, “the Commission wants to know how its demands are being implemented. This year and in the second half of 2025, “audit visits” will be organized with the specific aim of “assessing the measures taken to implement the recommendations”. The Athens government has long been criticized for conditions in Greece’s external borders, For example the illegal deportation of refugees etc. Last July, EU Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson called on the Greek government to halt the reforms – apparently without success.”