In the face of an unprecedented increase in the arrival of migrants from northern Africa, the Greek government has announced the temporary suspension, for at least three months, of the processing of asylum applications for those arriving by sea from Libya.
The measure was presented by Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, as an emergency response to a situation that threatens the country's stability and overloads local services, especially on the island of Crete.
In recent days, more than 2,000 migrants have landed in Crete, and another 520 have been rescued off its coast, bringing the total number of arrivals so far this year to more than 9,000 people.
This represents a 350% increase compared to the previous year, according to official figures. Local authorities, such as the Association of the Western Crete Coast Guard Personnel, have expressed their physical and logistical exhaustion, describing the situation as "unsustainable."
Mitsotakis stated before parliament that all people who arrive illegally by sea will be arrested and detained. He also emphasized that this is a "necessary and temporary" measure, and warned traffickers and potential migrants that the money they invest in these journeys will be wasted.
The Minister of Migration, Thanos Plevris, was even more forceful when he posted on his social media "clear message: stay where you are, we do not accept you".
Plevris's stance responds to the fear that the increase in migratory flows will result in social, economic, and tourism instability, especially on islands such as Crete and Gavdos, which are key Greek tourism destinations.
