Greece
Ref. Ares(2014)757330 - 17/03/2014
Policy dialogue with Greece – 30 October 2013
Allocation
AMIF
ISF-B
ISF-P
Total
259.3 M €
166.8 M €
20.4 M €
446.5 M €
The Policy Dialogue took place in the context of the implementation of Greece's Action Plan on Migration and
Asylum and the assistance provided by the Task Force Greece. The COM drew attention to serious allegations
of cases of "push-back" practices that were claimed to have been carried out by the Greek authorities at sea
and land borders, noting that such alleged practices could constitute a violation of the EU Law.
Asylum, migration and integration
On
asylum, the main axis will be the strengthening of the open reception capacity and living conditions for
asylum seekers and add open reception centres, the improvement all aspects of the asylum procedures, with
special attention to vulnerable groups, building on the new capacity (e.g. the Asylum Service and Appeals
Authority) and the establishment of a national system for continuous monitoring and evaluation.
Strengthening of the
integration of TCNs in accordance with the European Agenda for Integration is an area
that needs improvements. Consistency and good coordination of the activities developed by local, regional
and national administrations, as well as other stakeholders, in particular NGOs, was acknowledged as
absolutely essential. The main funding source to support integration into the labour market will come from
the European Social Fund, with which it is important to develop synergies. The need to pay special attention
to vulnerable groups was also acknowledged and the need to support pre-departure measures for TCNs.
Enhanced culture of acceptance and understanding towards TCN and beneficiaries of international protection
among the Greek society in order to reduce xenophobia and promote tolerance is also a priority. Greece will
continue to support and develop an effective
return policy, through the strengthening of voluntary return
and of an effective forced return monitoring system. AMIF funding should also be used to improve conditions
in detention centres. Return and reintegration projects and actions strengthening third countries' capacities
to implement EU readmission agreements were also recognised as extremely important.
Internal security – Borders and Visa
Greece will finalise and adopt a comprehensive integrated national border management strategy which
clearly identifies the priorities and results to be achieved by the Fund. The first priority will be to develop a
capacity of "first reception" to manage in an effective manner mixed migratory flows, addressing urgent
humanitarian needs and the needs of vulnerable groups. The next priority is
EUROSUR, ensuring interagency
cooperation and maintaining the national situational picture both for all borders. Greece will invest in order
to consolidate the management of its external land border (in particular the Greek-Turkish border) and to
reinforce its capacity at its external maritime borders, which are most exposed to migratory pressure. Greece
will also use ISF funding to invest in
modern technology at the border,
ABC gates where possible and
prospectively compatible with RTP, and support to
VIS,
SIS II and
consular cooperation.
Internal security – Prevention and combating of crime and crisis management
Greece's approach to EU funding on internal security should be strategic and be consistent with Greece's
national security strategy and the EU Internal Security Strategy. Such approach should be structured around a
rather limited number of priority areas/sectors which would constitute its main clusters/building blocks,
taking also in consideration, as regards
fight against organised crime, the priorities agreed in the framework
of the
EU policy cycle on serious and organised crime. Priority should be given to areas with particular impact
and added value.
Training,
capacity building (
LETS) and information exchange activities will constitute one of
the pillars of Greece's strategy in this area. Other important areas are
drug trafficking,
trafficking in human
beings,
anti-corruption,
financial investigation as a means to support criminal investigation in view of better
detection and dismantlement of criminal networks, fight against
cybercrime,
fight against terrorism (in
particular anti-radicalisation measures) and
protection of critical infrastructure.