"Our societies and labor markets require human resources, and legal migration must occur in an organized manner," stated EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ylva Johansson, during a media briefing following her participation in the conference titled 'European Solutions to the Common Challenge of Migration,' held in Athens.

The conference was held at the Greek Migration Ministry, as reported by the Athens-Macedonian News Agency, ANA-MPA.

Johansson, 'Greece has made significant steps forward'

Highlighting the need to address "current challenges" and "invest in legal channels for regular migration," the Commissioner called for proactive steps at the conference.

Alongside the Greek Minister for Migration, Dimitris Kairidis, Johansson revealed that Europe witnesses 3.5 million legal migrants annually, with an additional 300,000 entering irregularly. She stressed the importance of doing more to improve the system of legal migration and she urged for a global alliance to combat human traffickers.

The Commissioner added that thanks to the new Migration and Asylum Pact, the EU can prove that migration is a phenomenon that can be managed. She also praised "the significant steps forward" made by Greece in its handling of the issue.

The Vice President of the European Commission, Margaritis Schinas, and the Greek Premier, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, also participated at the conference. Premier Mitsokakis had a meeting with Commissioner Johansson before the conference.

Mitsotakis, 'We don't fear integration'

During the conference, Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis expressed Greece's openness to integration, stating, "We don't fear the term integration; we are an open society that has proven its willingness to embrace those seeking to integrate into Greek society. Making their stay here permanent is a natural consequence," Mitsotakis was quoted as saying by Kathimerini.

Mitsotakis highlighted Greece's efficient management of migration flows in 2023 compared to many partners, emphasizing that migration need not be a divisive topic. He underlined the potential for legal alternatives to address workforce needs in the labor market, asserting, "We can find a balance; Greece can lead the way."

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