In an interview on ‘Parapolitika’ radio’s ‘Secret’, with journalist Panagiotis Tzenos, Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis discussed last week’s special meeting of the European Council, in Brussels, and the negotiations on the new EU budget.
Specifically, Mr. Varvitsiotis stressed that four countries – Austria, Denmark, the Netherlands and Sweden – blocked the process for the seven-year budget, opposed by a strong group of pro-Cohesion countries, including Greece. He recalled that this has also happened with previous budgets. He also referred to the Prime Minister’s meetings with foreign leaders, saying that Greece is fighting on all levels. “I’m optimistic that, at the end of the negotiations on the new European budget, we will bring the country more money that it received the last time,” he underscored.
On the migration issue, Mr. Varvitsiotis highlighted that the proposal on the table is for increased funding compared to the previous budget, adding, however, that this is not enough, as Europe needs to create a new migration policy. Finally, in response to a question on the reactions on north-eastern Aegean islands to closed pre-departure centres, he emphasised that “without the closed centres, the asylum procedure cannot be made stricter. We need the closed structures in order to achieve the returns, as well as calm and security on the islands.”
February 24, 2020