Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has told EU counterparts that Europe needs emergency tools to handle sudden migration crises, presenting Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis's proposal for a new Emergency Support Mechanism at a meeting of the EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council.
Arriving at the council session, Mr. Plevris said the EU's Migration Pact and Returns Regulation have started delivering results, with migration flows to Europe declining and returns increasing. But he argued existing tools fall short during acute crises.
"In extraordinary circumstances, like those Greece experienced at the Evros border or Spain is experiencing in Ceuta, these tools aren't enough. We need emergency measures," he said.
Mr. Plevris said he would formally present Mr. Mitsotakis's proposal to the council, noting it has already been endorsed by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
"Today I will present the proposal from Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, which has been accepted by von der Leyen, for the Emergency Support Mechanism," he said.
Under the proposal, Mr. Plevris said such emergency situations should trigger enhanced border surveillance and temporary suspension of asylum processing.
He also said Greece aims to establish a migrant return center in Africa during its upcoming EU presidency. "Europe must be protected," Mr. Plevris said, closing his remarks.
The proposal builds on Mr. Mitsotakis's August op-ed in Politico and follows Mrs. von der Leyen's announcement of a forthcoming "European Framework for Emergency Situations" during her State of the Union address.