Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miltiadis Varvitsiotis’ speech at the Plenary Session of the Hellenic Parliament on the ratification of the Agreement on the Employment of Seasonal Workers in the Agricultural Sector between Greece and Egypt-main points (12.01.2023) "The agreement to legally appoint 5,000 agricultural workers from Egypt does not bring new migrants to our country. It addresses the needs of farmers, puts an end to the slave trade of workers, and expands our ties with an ally country and a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean." This was the message delivered by Alternate Minister of Foreign Affairs Miltiadis Varvitsiotis, speaking today at the plenary session of the Parliament during the debate on the draft law for the ratification of the Agreement on the Employment of Seasonal Workers in the Agricultural Sector between Greece and Egypt. In particular, Mr. Varvitsiotis pointed out that the ratified Agreement "abolishes the slave trade practices that want workers to work undocumented, in miserable conditions, without being paid the right daily wage, without health coverage or any kind of protection". The Alternate Minister spoke of a policy, that does not encourage migration and integration, but rather invites workers to come to the country legally, produce work and return back to their country of origin once they have completed it, with the option to return if they wish. "We do not need new generations of illegal migrants", he pointedly said. Furthermore, the Alternate Minister noted that this agreement falls within the framework of Greece's foreign policy and expands economic and political relations with Cairo. As he said, Egypt is not only a neighbouring friendly country but also plays a key role in the stability of the South-Eastern Mediterranean, with which we have developed very close ties, especially in recent years. "The agreements with Egypt on the partial delimitation of EEZs and also on search and rescue responsibility areas are important weapons in the overall national arsenal, especially against Turkey's provocative conduct and revisionism", he added. He also made a special reference to Egypt’s responsibility for worker selection, which facilitates the issuance of visas by Greek consulates. Lastly, Mr. Varvitsiotis underscored that this agreement is a response to the agricultural world’s demand for workers, which is fully endorsed by the entire opposition. "We are taking a first step and, if it works, we could expand to other countries and other sectors of the economy. Greece has been plagued by the problem of illegal migration, which should not be entangled in partisan confrontation", the Alternate Minister concluded. The agreement with Egypt was ratified with the parties of New Democracy and PASOK-KINAL voting in favour, and SYRIZA and MERA25 abstaining.
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