Minister of the Interior Rantanen visits Greece

Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen is visiting Greece this week to meet with the Greek ministers relevant to her area of responsibility. The main themes of the visit are migration, border security and preparedness.

“Greece is constantly under enormous migratory pressure in the eastern Mediterranean. We will discuss the reception situation in Greece, the external dimension of migration, innovative solutions for migration and the prevention of illegal entry,” says Minister of the Interior Rantanen.

The ministers will also discuss the possibilities for implementing the asylum process and providing international protection in safe third countries. Furthermore, they will exchange views on the European Commission’s new legislative proposal on returns.

Greece and Finland both work to protect the EU’s external borders

Instrumentalised migration is also on the agenda in Minister Rantanen’s discussions with the Greek ministers. Both Finland and Greece have experience with instrumentalised migration at the EU’s external border.
 
“Greece has supported Finland in addressing the issue of instrumentalised migration. What we have in common with Greece is that we are both working to protect our external borders and those of the EU as a whole,” says Rantanen.

During her visit, Minister Rantanen will also meet regional leaders of the European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex. Finland supports Greece’s measures to prevent illegal entry.

New EU Preparedness Union Strategy covers the entire society

The topics to be discussed with Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection Giannis Kefalogiannis include the new EU Preparedness Union Strategy. 
 
The new EU Preparedness Union Strategy was published on 26 March. Preparedness in the EU covers all sectors and the whole of society. While each Member State is responsible for its own preparedness, Europe as a whole will be stronger when measures are coordinated.

“EU Member States face both common and national challenges. It is in everyone’s interest that we prepare for a wide range of threats, from floods to military threats,” says Rantanen.  
 
Inquiries:
Laura Yli-Vakkuri, Director General, tel. +358 40 720 2216, firstname.lastname@gov.fi