Bulgaria, Greece, and Cyprus conduct first joint migrant repatriation operation

Bulgaria, Greece, and Cyprus conducted their first joint operation to forcibly return third-country nationals residing illegally in their territories. Organized by Cyprus and supported by Frontex, the operation took place on August 26.

A total of 51 individuals were returned to their countries of origin, including 35 from Cyprus, 15 from Greece, and one from Bulgaria. The flight, which departed from Athens' Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport using a specially chartered aircraft, was destined for Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Greek authorities specified that the 15 individuals repatriated from Greece were Bangladeshi nationals.

The operation was coordinated and financially supported by Frontex and involved various officials, including police officers and representatives from the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum. This joint effort aligns with new European migration rules and a preliminary agreement between the EU Council and the European Parliament aimed at establishing a faster, more efficient system for returning individuals without a legal right to remain in the European Union.