Source: European Parliament
Since 2015, the Commission and the EU Agencies active in the field of migration[1] have provided significant operational support, while the financial support made available to Greece under the Home Affairs Funds is over EUR 5 billion[2], providing Greece with the means for an ambitious and comprehensive migration management policy.
In the context of the reform of the Pact on Migration and Asylum, the EU has a permanent, legally binding but flexible solidarity mechanism as laid down in the Asylum[3] and Migration Management Regulation[4], guaranteeing that no Member State will be left alone when under pressure.
Greece has so far benefitted from various solidarity schemes, for example the relocation schemes established by the 2015 Commission Decisions, the 2020 voluntary relocation scheme[5], and the ongoing Voluntary Solidarity Mechanism (VSM)[6].
The Commission supports external border management through policy, funding, and operational support. This support includes the multiannual strategic policy for European integrated border management by the European Border and Coast Guard[7], strengthened European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) operations, and deploying digitalised systems[8].
Under the 2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, Greece is benefitting from more than EUR 1.1 billion under the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI)[9] to implement measures related to border surveillance and integrated border management.
The Commission also enhances cooperation with third countries and implements crisis response mechanisms to address irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and security risks.
Finally, the management of EU external borders is closely linked to the Pact on Migration and Asylum, particularly through the Screening Regulation[10] and contingency planning.
- [1] EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA), European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), European Union Agency for Law Enforcement Cooperation (Europol).
- [2] During the 2014-2020 programming period, more than EUR 3.39 billion were made available to Greece to manage migration and borders under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF), the Internal Security Fund (ISF- Borders and Visa, Police) and the Emergency Support Instrument (ESI). Under the 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, so far more than EUR 1.66 billion have been made available under the Home Affairs Funds (AMIF, Border Management and Visa Policy Instrument, ISF) to support the implementation of existing and upcoming priorities in the area of migration, border management and internal security.
- [3] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions on a New Pact on Migration and Asylum, COM/2020/609 final.
- [4] Regulation (EU) 2024/1351 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on asylum and migration management, amending Regulations (EU) 2021/1147 and (EU) 2021/1060 and repealing Regulation (EU) No 604/2013, PE/21/2024/REV/1, OJ L, 2024/1351, 22.5.2024; ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1351/oj.
- [5] More than 5,300 vulnerable persons were relocated from Greece, including 1,500 unaccompanied minors (UAMs).
- [6] https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/migration-management/relocation-eu-solidarity-practice_en#:~:text=Voluntary%20relocations%20from%20Greece&text=Under%20this%20plan%2C%20following%20the,Greece%20to%20other%20European%20countries.
- [7] The national authorities of Member States responsible for border management, including coast guards to the extent that they carry out border control tasks, the national authorities responsible for return and Frontex constitute the European Border and Coast Guard.
- [8] Like the Entry Exit System and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System.
- [9] Regulation (EU) 2021/1148 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 7 July 2021 establishing, as part of the Integrated Border Management Fund, the Instrument for Financial Support for Border Management and Visa Policy PE/57/2021/INIT, OJ L 251, 15.7.2021, p. 48-93.
- [10] Regulation (EU) 2024/1356 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 introducing the screening of third-country nationals at the external borders and amending Regulations (EC) No 767/2008, (EU) 2017/2226, (EU) 2018/1240 and (EU) 2019/817, PE/20/2024/REV/1, OJ L, 2024/1356, 22.5.2024.