(de-news.net) – German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) has reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the European Union’s external border protection, particularly in response to migration challenges. During discussions with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Chancellor Merz emphasized the urgency of addressing secondary migration — the movement of refugees from their initial country of arrival to Germany.

The Chancellor called upon the Greek government to adopt a more stringent stance toward migrants transiting within the EU, stressing the necessity of reducing secondary migration rates to Germany while increasing readmissions. This issue, he noted, would also be deliberated by Germany’s federal interior ministers.

Both leaders agreed that the newly proposed restrictive EU regulations, once ratified, should be implemented “swiftly and in a spirit of cooperation.” Additionally, Chancellor Merz underscored Germany’s priority of enhancing the security of the EU’s external borders, including Greece’s territorial boundaries.

Prime Minister Mitsotakis expressed approval of the heightened emphasis on border security. He acknowledged the complexities associated with secondary migration.