In Evros, in March, we fought together for our borders, Chrysochoidis says

"In Evros, in March, we, you and the other Europeans, took Europe one step forward. We fought together for something we share, our borders," Civil Protection Minister Michalis Chrysochoidis said on Tuesday after his meeting with the Austrian Minister of Interior Karl Nehammer.

"As Greeks", Chrysochoidis added, "we are proud that the long process of awareness of this common European homeland began in our country, in Evros."

He also said that they had the chance to discuss issues of police cooperation in areas such as security, migration and Covid-19.

The two countries work closely and efficiently in these areas, he said and added: "Your country was one of the first in Europe to send a team of special forces - the famous EKOCOBRA - equipment, cameras, vehicles and the precious Survivor, the beast, as they called it at the border."

He underlined that "we are in the Union, because we all believe that transnational problems are solved by accepting international law, treaties and arbitration, not by militarizing them. We are in the Union because human life is worth living, the lives of migrants are worth living, asylum is the foundation of Europe. Europe will never allow people facing difficulties to become tools and victims of geopolitical goals. Together in Evros we have opened a new page of European history, we have started a new chapter towards the unification and the creation of a common identity and consciousness."

I am sure that we will continue and strengthen this effort in an institutional framework, in the EU institutions, he said adding that the European policy in the Eastern Mediterranean is an urgent priority.