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There are no ready-made solutions for migration. However, we can and must start implementing policies. To take on, in practice, the part of the responsibility that is ours and offer the corresponding work. Since the summer, I have presented in an article (“Dump or Akrites”) initiatives that need to be taken in foreign policy and an operational plan that needs to be implemented in Greece. (http://www.kathimerini.gr/832517/opinion/epikairothta/politikh/xwmaterh-h-akrites)
The policy's goal, declared, honestly and openly, will be to deter, that is, to make it more difficult for, the uncontrolled movement of economic migrants to Europe.
Aware that an unprepared and for many hypocritical Europe may prove to be a greater danger for a Greece that offers itself as a scapegoat. The Juncker plan of mandatory quotas failed, mainly due to the responsibility of the former Eastern countries – although their leaderships were refugees in the West for so many years! Most importantly, Merkel's bold position on the reception and integration of refugees is shaking the Chancellor.
The patterns across Europe are clear and indisputable. Between solidarity and security/fear, European societies with majorities everywhere choose the latter. The more the left, in particular, turns people's completely natural fear of immigrants into a matter of principle and denounces it as racism, the more the far right will rage and threaten the essence of Europe and democracy.
France experienced this bitterly with the National Front. There is no need for a xenophobic right wing to dominate all of Europe.
In Greece, there is political hesitation and a lack of coordination. There are many delays. On the positive side, Athens stands out, where, with the assistance of the Municipality of Athens, the open hospitality center in Eleonas was created. Where and how can the successful example be repeated? Also, in Lesvos and the other islands, as well as in Idomeni, volunteers, both foreign and local, show the scope of solidarity but also the limits of the cooperative action of civil society.
Unfortunately, again, despite the efforts that have been made, Greece, due to its own mistakes, finds itself an easy target in a Europe that is unprepared, contradictory, often pretentious and divided.
Greece, in particular, seems unable to exploit the privileged position, in terms of national strategy, of being the only EU member state between Turkey and Skopje.
They need:
1. National Migration Policy Council and Operational Management Center. To develop a plan and coordinate the ministries. Without the assistance of the Ministry of National Defense, camps – open or closed, depending on the circumstances and always under the supervision of Amnesty International – do not take place. Without the experience of Police and Coast Guard officers, cooperation with Frontex will not be effective. Without mayors and local communities with compensatory benefits, migrants are not hosted.
2. The registration centers on the islands – an opportunity for the islands to acquire strong telecommunications and internet infrastructure – must not only function but must also separate refugees from economic migrants. The latter will be taken by ship back to their place of departure, namely Turkey.
3. Turkey must be led to cooperation, which the EU is in a position to impose. Three points:
• To finally implement the readmission agreement. To accept back economic migrants who do not need international protection.
• To control the movement of outboard motors.
• To establish visas for North and Sub-Saharan African countries.
The outboards on the smugglers' death boats are bulky and are transported by the thousands from China. They can be detected and the trade can be significantly reduced or stopped. In terms of free movement, when the journey from Morocco to Turkey costs less than from the mainland to the coast of the country itself, it is obvious that the flows in the Aegean will increase.
These three points need to be promoted by Greece and negotiated by Europe with Turkey regarding immigrants, as well as the absorption-integration of refugees, as much as possible in its territories, mainly by granting work permits to Syrian refugees.
We should show solidarity as a state not with announcements and complaints, but there, in the field of rescue, care, and relief. By building model centers, not by delaying the basics. Where Greek and foreign volunteers are operating voluntarily, without care, coordination, or help from the state. When a dozen or so Coast Guard guys in Molyvos, frugal with oil, have rescued hundreds and transported dozens of bodies in their hands, doesn't the discussion of ideologues in hangouts and party groups seem hopelessly ironic?
* Mr. Michalis Chrysochoidis is a former minister.
From Kathimerini, Sunday 7/2/2016!