Schengen

Roadmap back to Schengen; Commission assesses Greek Action Plan

13/04/2016 ENstaff Avramopoulos, border control, borders, EU, European Commission, European Union, Roadmap, Schengen

European Commission yesterday adopted its assessment of the Action Plan presented by the Greek authorities which details how Greece plans to address the deficiencies in its external border management.

european union

European Council president Donald Tusk invites EU leaders to discuss refugee crisis

06/03/2016 ENstaff borders, EU, European Council, European Union, Greece, refugee crisis, Schengen, Turkey, Tusk

Tusk: “For the first time since the beginning of the migration crisis, I can see a European consensus emerging. It is a consensus around a comprehensive strategy that, if loyally implemented, can help stem the flows and tackle the crisis.”

Tusk Cameron Tsipras_EU Newsroom_embassynews

european union

European Council meeting concludes first session

19/02/201619/02/2016 ENstaff Brussels, EU, European Council, European Union, Greece, hotspots, migration crisis, refugee crisis, Schengen

EUROPEAN COUNCIL: “In response to the migration crisis facing the EU, the objective must be to rapidly stem the flows, protect our external borders, reduce illegal migration and safeguard the integrity of the Schengen area.”

european union

‘More Europe’ – EU Commissioner Avramopoulos’ speech

16/12/201516/12/2015 ENstaff Avramopoulos, borders, EU, European Commission, European Union, Schengen, security

Commissioner Avramopoulos: “We are proposing a targeted modification of the Schengen Border Code to introduce the obligation to carry out systematic checks against relevant databases at the external borders on everyone.”

society

‘EU blame game causes migrant suffering in Greece’ – HRW

11/12/201510/12/2015 ENstaff EU, European Union, HRW, Human Rights Watch, migrants, refugees, Schengen

Several European ministers and senior EU officials have been quoted as accusing Greece of not doing its job of policing the European Union’s external borders and stemming the flow of asylum seekers and migrants, also of refusing to accept EU help to do so.

european union foreign affairs

Terrorist attacks: MEPs demand more information-sharing and coordination in EU

19/11/2015 ENstaff Europe, European Union, information, Schengen, security, terrorism

MEPs agreed that information-sharing between member states and their intelligence services in Europe must be improved to prevent terrorist attacks. Europol Director Rob Wainwright voiced his concern at the escalation of terror, saying: “The Paris attacks were the most serious in Europe in more than 10 years.”

Informal EU Meeting Valletta_EU Council_embassynews

european union foreign affairs

Migration crisis: EU heads of state / government discuss latest developments

13/11/2015 ENstaff crisis, EASO, EU, EU Council, European Union, Fronted, migrants, refugees, Schengen, Turkey, Tusk

EU leaders discussed the latest developments in the migration crisis and how to accelerate the implementation of the measures agreed in September and October. President Donald Tusk warned that the future of Schengen is at stake…

(de g. à dr.) Jean Asselborn, ministre des Affaires étrangères et européennes (Luxembourg) ; Nikos Kotzias, ministre des Affaires étrangères (Grèce) ; Federica Mogherini, haute représentante de l’Union pour les affaires étrangères et la politique de sécurité, vice-présidente de la Commission européenne (Commission européenne)

european union foreign affairs

Kotzias: Greece cannot pay the cost of others’ choices in the region

08/11/2015 ENstaff EU, Foreign Affairs, Foreign Ministry, Greece, Kotzias, Schengen, Turkey

Foreign Minister Nikos Kotzias, in his remarks concerning current political affairs, with emphasis on the migration/refugee issue, at the 12th ASEM Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (Nov-6), inter alia stressed: Despite the ongoing financial and social constraints facing my country, our public opinion has been sympathetic to and supportive of the refugees in a manner that corresponds to our culture and values…

interviews people

Ambassador of Norway:”The challenge for the Greek economy is its competitive edge and its business climate” [interview]

07/06/2016 ENstaff

The Ambassador of Norway in Athens, His Excellency Jørn Eugene Gjelstad, spoke to EmbassyNews.net and commented on the current developments in Greek and European politics, the economy and the refugee crisis.