Greek Migration Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos said the EU was ready to take tougher measures on migration in 2025, with a focus on expanded deportations.
He added that the EU would not, however, adopt the hardline methods that US President Donald Trump’s administration has begun to implement.
“Returning migrants in shackles on military planes is very different from using regular commercial flights,” Panagiotopoulos told state broadcaster ERT.
He said “migration has evolved from primarily a humanitarian issue to essentially a security issue.”
EU migration and home affairs ministers will meet in Warsaw on Thursday to discuss stepping up efforts against migration, a move supported by Poland, which holds the bloc’s presidency.
Since taking office, Trump has taken a much tougher approach to immigration, restricting access to asylum, sending troops to the US-Mexico border, and increasing immigration raids and expedited deportations.
