The Alternate Foreign Minister for European Affairs, Nikos Xydakis, today received the Slovak EU Presidency’s Ambassador-at-Large for Migration, Igor Slobodnik, at the Foreign Ministry. Ambassador Slobodnik was accompanied by his Dutch counterpart, Andre Carstens.
During the talks, Mr. Slobodnik underscored that the continued management of the migration/refugee crisis is a priority of the Slovak Presidency, and he conveyed his concern regarding the effective handling of the problem in light of the international developments in recent weeks (UK referendum, terrorist attack in Nice, France, attack on train passengers in Wirstburg, Bavaria, and, more recently, the attempted coup in Turkey). More specifically, with regard to Turkey, he conveyed the concerns of Bratislava and Brussels as to the extent that the further implementation of the EU-Turkey agreement on migration might be negatively impacted.
Mr. Xydakis reiterated that the solution to the crisis should be European and will be achieved only when all of the member states understand that they need to contribute to the implementation of a single European policy on the migration issue. Specifically, he mentioned the need for all of the partners to realize how critical the geopolitical and strategic developments in the wider Mediterranean are. Regarding the Union’s cooperation with third countries, he reiterated the need for the EU to focus on Africa and show equal interest regarding the no-less-significant migration flows from Asian countries. Mr. Xydakis repeated that the effective handling of the refugee crisis requires that the European Union rediscover its role as a guarantor of stability, peace and democracy, noting that the Slovak Presidency has a first-class opportunity to promote this image of a centripetal Europe.
Finally, Mr. Slobodnik conveyed the Slovak Presidency’s request that there be a follow-up to the first Meeting of the Six EU European Affairs Ministers, which took place on 8 and 9 April, in Athens, to coordinate on this complex European problem. Mr. Xydakis responded in the affirmative regarding the prospect for such a meeting, with an expanded agenda, this coming autumn.
July 21, 2016