Additional tools
Back in Greece
May
14
2013
At the new asylum centre in Athens, with Minister Dendias and Lamprini Koletta, Director of the appeals authority. Photo: Michele Cercone
I am in Greece for a couple of days, it is my fifth visit here as Commissioner. The rain is pouring down, and the situation here is still very troubling. Many Greeks are facing a difficult time, but there are also some small bright spots on the horizon. Tourism is expected to reach record levels this summer, and the Eurogroup has cautiously pointed towards signs of progress.
I am of course here to discuss the situation for refugees and migrants. There has been some progress since I was here last time. While the worst of the detention centres have now been closed, the conditions are still unacceptable for those who are kept in detention. Greece needs to do more in this area to fulfil European rules and international standards, and needs to build several open reception centres.
On a more positive note: an asylum centre will finally open in Athens, as well as on a few of the islands. Processing of asylum applications have so far been managed by the police authorities, which of course is unacceptable. This new centre has educated staff that will register applications, conduct interviews and handle appeals.
I had long discussions with Minister Nikos Dendias on the remaining issues in the Action Plan on Migration that the government has adopted. It is of course the responsibility of Greece itself to put a system in place, but the Commission, our Agencies, the Member States and a large number of NGOs are here to help. Greece is still having difficulties in fully using the funds available, and there is a need for better coordination between ministries.
I met with Prime Minister Samaras, who is deeply engaged in these migration issues. I visited the new asylum centre, met with UNHCR, and also visited the police unit that up until now has been responsible for asylum applications, which is now being phased out.
An important issue that we discussed is the racist violence which unfortunately is very much apparent in a country where a party such as Golden Dawn is on the rise, and where the financial crisis is creating a breeding ground for simplistic solutions and scape goats in politics. A proposal for a law that will criminalise agitation against ethnic groups, as well as making racist violence a serious offence, is now being prepared.
Dear Ms. Malstrom, I looked you up because of the way your clearly honest attempt to help was misrepresented in some Greek media. One electronic news site singled out your interest in asylum applications and proper housing conditions for immigrants, in order to make you appear as an extreme liberal with no understanding of how many illegal immigrants are already in Greece. Golden Dawn will surely capitalize on your interest, to fuel their racist, nationalist agenda. The combination of Dublin II, my country’s inability to protect its borders and the financial crisis require unquestionable proof that the Comission cares as much about illegal immigrant repatriation as it does about human rights. I don’t know what, if anything you can do about it, but Mr. Dendias probably failed to mention that racist violence has been increasing exponentially.
Greece has implications for the rest of European economy which in turn affects global markets in different ways. For example, if the economy recovers in Greece, European economy will be more stable and trade between Europe and rest of the world will improve. This will also have effect in currency markets as it will mean that Euro will go up against other currencies.
DbaiG
Bolee.com