Migration Min Panagiotopoulos meets with Israeli Ambassador Katz

Migration and Asylum Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos and Deputy Minister Sofia Voultepsi on Wednesday received the Ambassador of Israel Noam Katz at the ministry in Athens.

The meeting focused on the current developments in the Middle East and on bilateral relations between the two countries.

According to a ministry announcement, Katz briefed the ministers on the recent develoments in the Gaza conflict, noting the geopolitical repercussions that affect the wider region. They had a detailed discussion on the challenges and the new facts arising from the current situation, which have a direct impact on the stability and the security of the region.

Panagiotopoulos underlined, as stated in the same announcement, that, despite the difficult situation due to the war in Gaza, no increase in migration flows to Greece has been observed so far. He also said that flows remain at controlled levels, thanks to an effective management and enhanced cooperation with international partners.

At the same time, they exchanged views on the importance of creating legal and safe migration corridors, given that both countries face increased needs to import workers in specific sectors of the economy. The need for a legal framework that will facilitate migration in a safe and orderly way was emphasised, in order to cover the needs of their economies and tackle undocumented migration.

Finally, they agreed that the two countries will intensify their efforts to promote collaboration in teh areas of migration, security and the economy, with the aim ofenhancing stability and growth in the wider Mediterranean region.