Answer given by Ms Johansson on behalf of the European Commission

The Commission has underlined in the reply to Written Question P-000604/2021 that, pursuant to Article 38(4) of the Asylum Procedures Directive[1], the Greek authorities should ensure that Syrian applicants whose applications have been declared inadmissible and have not been removed to Turkey should be able to apply again.

The Commission services have requested the relevant data on Syrian asylum from the Greek authorities, which will be transmitted to the Honourable Members as soon as possible.

Following the adoption of the Joint Ministerial Decision on 7 June 2021,[2] Greece considers Turkey a safe third country for applicants for international protection originating from Syria, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Somalia.

In the Commission’s view, to the extent inadmissible applicants are not being permitted to enter Turkey, Article 38(4) of the directive should also be applied in relation to these applications and access given to the asylum procedure on the basis of their merits.

The EU remains committed to the full implementation of the 2016 EU-Turkey Statement[3] as the main framework for cooperation on migration matters between the EU and Turkey.

This is an engagement of mutual trust and delivery that requires commitment and continuous efforts from all sides. The Commission has made repeated calls for the resumption of returns from Greece to Turkey.

See annex : Annex

• [1] Directive 2013/32/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 26 June 2013 on common procedures for granting and withdrawing international protection, OJ L 180, 29.6.2013, p. 60.
• [2] Joint Ministerial Decision 42799 /2021 — Government Gazette 2425/ Β /7-6-2021.
• [3] https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/18/eu-turkey-statement/