Greece Reaffirms Turkey (Türkiye) as a Safe Third Country for Asylum Seekers from Syria, Afghanistan, and More
The Greek government has officially published a new Joint Ministerial Decision in the Government Gazette, reaffirming Turkey’s status as a “safe third country” for specific categories of asylum seekers.
The decision, co-signed by Minister of Foreign Affairs George Gerapetritis and Minister of Migration and Asylum Makis Voridis, updates the national list of third countries that are designated as safe for international protection applicants.
According to the updated list, Turkey is classified as a safe third country for asylum seekers originating from Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Somalia. This classification allows for the immediate rejection of asylum applications submitted by individuals from these countries who enter Greece illegally via Turkey.
The decision paves the way for the swift return of these individuals, aligning with Greece’s policy of curbing irregular migration and prioritizing the repatriation of those who remain unlawfully in the country.
The issuance of this new decision was deemed necessary following the annulment of a previous similar decision by the Greek Council of State, which had created a legal vacuum regarding Turkey’s status.
This move is expected to have a significant impact on Greece’s asylum system and migration management efforts, particularly concerning the Eastern Aegean islands.