French Deputy Interior Minister Mr. Laurent Nunez announced on Monday that his country would accept 400 migrants in Greece seeking asylum, with priority given to families and other vulnerable people.
The French minister also said that his country would also send 24 asylum specialists with options to increase their numbers and extend their service in Greece to three or four instead of the current two. The number of French officials assisting the EU security agency Frontex will increase from the current 176 to 200.
Nunez said that these measures are the basis of “close and confidential cooperation between the two countries,” and described his visit as “the solidarity that France is obliged to express.” The increase in migration flows since the summer of 2019, according to him, requires an increased presence, especially when the EU member state faces difficulties.
Kumutsakos spoke about the need for a vigorous EU asylum and migration policy and said that “Europe urgently needs a policy that can take into account new factors.” According to the Minister, Greece and France believe that there should be an “operational and effective balance.” between the principle of responsibility and the principle of solidarity. “