Tighter and more effective measures will be taken to control migration flows from Libya while always respecting international law and human rights, government spokesperson Pavlos Marinakis said on Wednesday, in an interview with the television station Action 24. He also noted that the decision to essentially expel a European delegation from Benghazi was "unprecedented".
"What I can tell you is that the margins have narrowed and at this time, the government is interested in what benefits the Greek people...and it has shown that, in such critical situation, when the pressure increases and the margins narrow, it examines increasingly tough and effective measures. This is something that will certainly be discussed during the prime minister's meeting with Thanos Plevris, the minister responsible for migration and migration policy," he said.
Marinakis did not rule out the possibility of using closed reception centres and noted that European support was essential in critical situations, such as the present one, when asked about additional European funding.
Regarding the OPEKEPE case, he repeated that the work of identifying recipients of illegal subsidies and ensuring their return had begun, adding that the fine imposed by the European Commission will not be paid by Greek tax payers in full. He said the government will contest and seek to negotiate to reduce the sum and offset payment against future subsidies over several years, so that it will not be "missing from farmers' pockets".
On the prospect of a parliamentary preliminary investigation, Marinakis said that he personally "does not see incriminating evidence that would constitute a criminal offence" but did not rule out the possibility of such an inquiry for the two former rural development ministers.