Migration Minister Thanos Plevris hails vote on safe third countries and expanded safe countries of origin list
Athens, February 11, 2026 – Greek Migration Minister Thanos Plevris has strongly welcomed the European Parliament’s approval of updated rules on “safe third countries” and the establishment of the first EU-wide list of safe countries of origin, describing the measures as a major step toward accelerating returns of illegal migrants.
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) on February 10, Minister Plevris emphasized that the designation of Egypt and Bangladesh — among other countries — as safe third countries or safe countries of origin carries special significance for Greece, given the rising irregular migration flows from these nations toward the European Union.
“The policy fully reflects our positions for a strict migration policy with emphasis on returns, which is now becoming the dominant position in the EU,” Plevris wrote.
The European Parliament voted in Strasbourg on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) to endorse:
- Updated rules on the safe third country concept (396 votes in favor, 226 against, 30 abstentions), allowing member states to declare asylum applications inadmissible if the applicant could have sought protection in a non-EU country deemed safe — even without a direct prior connection in some cases.
- The first common EU list of safe countries of origin (408 votes in favor, 184 against, 60 abstentions), including Bangladesh, Colombia, Egypt, India, Kosovo, Morocco, and Tunisia. Nationals from these countries will face accelerated asylum procedures and a higher presumption against granting protection.
The measures form part of the broader implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, with many provisions set to apply from June 2026, though certain accelerated procedures can be used earlier.
Plevris highlighted that the new framework aligns with Greece’s long-standing push for tougher border controls and effective returns. He criticized opposition parties, stating: “Unfortunately PASOK and the left-wing parties did not support the new regulation. By voting against it, they declared their disagreement with returning illegal migrants to safe third countries, supporting the bankrupt policy of open borders and the absence of returns.”
Human rights groups and some MEPs have expressed concerns over the changes, warning that fast-tracked procedures and transfers to third countries could undermine individual asylum assessments and violate international protection standards. Organizations such as Human Rights Watch have pointed to documented human rights issues in several listed countries.
Despite such criticism, the votes — supported by a center-right and right-wing majority — signal a clear shift toward stricter migration management across the bloc.
Greece, as a frontline member state facing significant migratory pressure, has repeatedly called for stronger EU-level tools to manage irregular arrivals and increase returns.