Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has argued that European Union capitals should have the option to temporarily halt asylum applications when faced with sudden mass arrivals at the bloc’s borders. His proposal came as EU leaders prepared for an emergency summit following last week’s migrant surge into Ceuta.
The Greek leader’s position points to a tougher approach to border pressure, with governments seeking more flexibility during fast-moving migration crises. Supporters of stricter controls are likely to see the idea as a tool for handling exceptional situations, especially when border crossings rise sharply in a short period.
At the same time, the call risks widening existing disagreements inside the EU over immigration and asylum policy. Some member states have pushed for stronger border measures, while others have been wary of steps that could weaken access to asylum protections during emergencies.
The debate now adds urgency to the upcoming summit, where migration is expected to be a central issue. With Ceuta fresh in the political discussion, Mitsotakis’s intervention underlines how divided Europe remains over how to respond when border security and asylum rules collide.
