Tripartite Greece–Bulgaria–Turkey meeting in Athens on migration: “strict line and measurable results,” says Plevris

A beardown connection of determination to tackle irregular migration and migrant smuggling networks was sent by Greece’s Minister for Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, during the tripartite gathering betwixt Greece, Turkey and Bulgaria held successful Athens.

The 3 countries reaffirmed the strengthening of their cooperation, positively assessing the results achieved truthful far, peculiarly successful reducing migration flows and combating smuggling networks. It was stressed that migration absorption is simply a corporate work and requires continuous coordination, accusation sharing and associated operational action.

Mr. Plevris underlined that Greece is implementing a strict but afloat lawful borderline extortion policy, noting that the country’s borders are besides Europe’s outer borders. Special notation was made to tangible results successful the Eastern Aegean, wherever arrivals successful the archetypal 4th of 2025 stood astatine 6,012, compared to 2,113 successful the aforesaid play of 2026, marking a 65% decrease.

At the aforesaid time, the request for further intensification of enactment against smuggling networks was highlighted, arsenic these are straight linked to organised transgression and terrorism. The 3 ministers agreed to fortify practice successful some maritime and onshore borders, peculiarly successful airy of shifting migration routes.

In bilateral contacts, the Greek curate emphasised the value of continuing practice with Turkey and the afloat and effectual implementation of the EU–Turkey Joint Declaration. He besides highlighted affirmative initiatives specified arsenic the palmy visa programme for Turkish citizens visiting Greek islands.

With Bulgaria, accent was placed connected associated mentation for the implementation of the caller EU Migration and Asylum Pact from June 2026, arsenic good arsenic connected strengthening returns and protecting the EU’s outer borders.

The tripartite gathering successful Athens was held astatine the invitation of the Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum and was attended by Bulgaria’s Minister of Interior Emil Dechev and Turkey’s Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi.

During the meeting, the ministers besides examined the information concern successful the Middle East and the Persian Gulf and exchanged views connected imaginable impacts connected migration flows, which—at present—do not look to beryllium concerning.

Bulgaria’s Interior Minister described the trilateral model arsenic a strategical and invaluable level for constructive, results-oriented cooperation, reaffirming Bulgaria’s beardown enactment for its continuity and sustainability.

Turkey’s Interior Minister pointed to the affirmative results achieved done effectual enactment against irregular migration, carried retired successful enactment with planetary instrumentality and humanitarian values, stating that Turkey is nary longer, to a ample extent, a destination oregon transit state for irregular migration. He stressed that planetary cooperation, peculiarly the ongoing trilateral mechanics with Greece and Bulgaria, has played a cardinal relation successful this process. He besides noted the nexus betwixt migrant smuggling, terrorism, and organised crime, thanking Greece for hosting the meeting.