The Secretary General of the Hellenic Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection, Patroklos Georgiadis, presented yesterday (21.01.2014), before the Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs (LIBE) of the European Parliament the priorities of the Greek Presidency in the field of Justice and Home Affairs and in particular the issues coming under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Public Order and Citizen Protection. 

 

Referring to the Agreement that has been reached between the Commission and the European Parliament on the Multiannual Framework Fund for Home Affairs, Georgiadis expressed the Presidency’s appreciation to the EP Rapporteurs for their positive contribution to reach consensus. He reassured that the Presidency will make sure that the four Regulations related to the new Multiannual Framework Fund for Home Affairs will enter into force the soonest possible.

 

“The Hellenic Presidency will cooperate closely with all Member-States and the European Commission and at the same time will try to have the active contribution of the other co-legislator, that is, the European Parliament, in order for the final result - the new strategic objectives and guidelines on the legislative and operational planning, to be adopted by the European Council in June 2014 – to be able to meet actual future needs in the field of Justice and Home Affairs” the Secretary General underlined.

 

Regarding the fight against illegal migration the Secretary General has mentioned that the "smart borders" legislative package is under discussion and it is a first priority for the Presidency. It includes the establishment of a new entry-exit registration system (EES) for third country nationals crossing the (external) borders of the Union. The package also includes the establishment of a Registered Travelers Programme which is also the Presidency’s major priority. Another high priority for the Presidency is the enhancement of the external sea borders surveillance through operational cooperation under Frontex, he said.

 

Georgiadis also welcomed the appointment of a Rapporteur for the legislative initiative on the relocation of CEPOL’s Seat. He also called for continuous cooperation to ensure that the necessary amendment will be made by April 2014 “in order to keep CEPOL operational”.

Answering to questions by LIBE Commission MPs, Georgiadis also gave information about the operation of the Greek Asylum Service and the pre-removal facilities in Greece and inter alia, he mentioned the following:

• "We aim at implementing a common European Asylum System. Greece is the 10th Member-State and one of the oldest in the EU and we will do everything in our power in order to modernize the European institutions for the benefit of the peoples of Europe".

• "Our constant intention is to cultivate a context of solidarity through a synthesis of various Member- States’ views". 

• "Greece is making every effort to enhance democratic institutions and will not allow the growth of right-wing extremist phenomena in the country that gave birth to Democracy".