Greece urges EU asylum reforms

In early August 2026, Greece presented a proposal to the EU Council of Interior and Migration Ministers calling for a temporary suspension mechanism that would allow the immediate return of illegal entrants in extreme mass‑migration cases. The plan, backed by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, cited recent incidents such as the Theouda crisis and the 2020 Evros attempt, and emphasized stronger external borders, expanded Frontex presence, and deeper cooperation with third‑country partners like Libya and Morocco.

The following day, Greek Deputy Minister Sevi Voloudaki expanded on the need for comprehensive implementation of the EU migration and asylum pact. She highlighted a shift in migration routes from the Aegean to South Crete, with Libya now the primary departure point, describing the new path as longer, more dangerous for migrants and more lucrative for smugglers. Voloudaki called for a common European return policy, noting Greece’s recent improvements in reception facilities, the abolition of protective custody for unaccompanied minors, and increased monitoring of the Libyan sea, while urging the EU to pair a credible asylum system with effective returns.

Together, the snapshots show Greece moving from proposing a specific suspension tool to demanding full enactment of a broader EU asylum framework, underscoring the country’s push for stricter migration controls and coordinated European responses.