Thanos Plevris discusses EU migration policy and return hubs in Munich

Greek Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris participated in the Munich Conference on Migration Policy and a meeting of the migration ministers known as the ‘Core Group’. The Core Group includes Greece, Germany, Austria, Denmark, and the Netherlands.

During the discussions, Plevris presented a framework for a comprehensive crisis management mechanism for the European Union's external borders. This initiative, proposed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, aims to address the instrumentalization of migration flows in the context of hybrid threats. The agenda also included the implementation of the new Pact on Asylum and Migration and the strengthening of EU border protection.

A central focus of the talks was the acceleration of return procedures. Plevris advocated for the creation of regional ‘return hubs’ in third countries to combat human smuggling networks, reduce migratory pressure on frontline states, and enhance the credibility of European asylum policy. The minister also emphasized the importance of increased Frontex support and the strategic use of visas as leverage to encourage sustainable returns from countries of origin.