The European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmström will meet Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and a number of Ministers in order to discuss immigration in Greece.
Mrs. Malmström met the Minister of Public Order Nikos Dendias this morning and later met with the Mayor of Athens Giorgos Kaminis. The Commissioner commented on her twitter account that Greece has made significant progress with its immigration and asylum policies, while praising the charitable work of the Municipality of Athens.
The Prime Minister received Mrs. Malmström at around 11:30, followed by press conference an hour later. The European Commissioner is also scheduled to meet the Minister of Interior Yannis Mihelakis at 2pm and the Minister of Shipping and the Aegean Miltiadis Varvitsiotis at 4.30pm. Finally, Mrs. Malmström will visit a refugee hospitality unit.
The head of the EU delegation in Greece Panos Karvounis commented that Mrs. Malmström’s visit is especially important, given Greece’s geographic position and passageway to other EU countries. Mr. Karvounis noted that the European Commissioner’s visit is closely tied to the upcoming Greek EU presidency, since immigration will be a main priority.
Asylum Services and Appeal Authority reveal data on immigration
Meanwhile the Ministry of Public Order’s newly-formed Asylum Services announced that thee have been 4,189 applications for international protection since the 7th of June 2013, of which 1,670 applications have been addressed. A total of 213 applications were successful, resulting in a 12.8% rate.
According to the published data, of the 4,189 applications, 3,162 were for men, 1,027 for women and 171 for unaccompanied minors. The asylum seekers originate from 72 different countries, primarily from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Albania, Georgia, Syria, Bangladesh, Egypt, Nigeria, Congo, Iran, Eritrea, Iraq, China, Morocco and Algeria. Of the successful applications, 24.9% was for Syrians, 18.3% Afghanis, 9.4% Eritreans, 8% for Sudanese, 6.1% Iranians and 5.6% Ethiopians.
The Appeal Authority, which examined refugee applications that have initially been rejected, has received a total of 803 appeals. The Authority reported that it has ruled in 462 cases, of which only 20 applications have been successful.
