By: Anthee Carasavva| vanes.com| 02 October 2021|
Greece Rejects EU Proposal for Border Monitors
Greece has rejected a request by the European Union to set up an independent process to monitor border controls and illegal migration.
The Greek snub is said to have infuriated Brussels, which has been extremely critical of Athens for its alleged illegal practice of migrant pushbacks. The rejection could imperil millions of dollars in financial support that Greece needs to boost its capabilities in fending off illegal migration. That is especially true as Europe braces for a wave of Afghan migrants streaming to the West after the Taliban takeover.
Asked in parliament, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis offered a blunt response about whether he would allow the EU to establish an independent watchdog to monitor border controls and illegal migration.
He said that while the government in Athens was open to discussing the formation of independent monitoring committees on migration across the EU, Greece alone was not willing, as he put it, to “go it alone.”