Greece suspends new asylum claims for THREE months as any illegal migrants will be arrested IMMEDIATELY upon arrival

Speaking in Parliament, Mitsotakis confirmed he had informed the European Commission about the legislative regulation coming on Thursday.

"The emergency situation requires emergency measures," the Prime Minister stated.

The announcement follows a rescue operation in international waters off Crete on Tuesday, where a commercial vessel assisted migrants.

Mitsotakis directed that rescued individuals should not disembark in Crete but proceed to Lavrio before transfer to guarded immigration ministry facilities.

Mitsotakis declared that "any migrants who enter the country illegally will be arrested and detained".

The Prime Minister revealed plans to establish detention facilities in Crete, initially one structure with the possibility of a second.

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The facilities aim to address the issue locally by detaining those who enter illegally.

Mitsotakis referenced the Government's previous success in confronting what he termed a "migrant invasion" in the Evros region of northeastern Greece in March 2022.

He stated that "the Government will use the same legal reasoning" as employed during that operation.

"The Armed Forces are willing to cooperate with the Libyan authorities to prevent the departure of boats from the Libyan coast," Mitsotakis stated.

He confirmed that "our discussions with both western and eastern Libya are ongoing and continuing".

The Prime Minister issued a stark warning to smuggling networks, stating: "The Government is sending a message of determination that the passage to Greece is closing."

He addressed traffickers directly, saying they should inform "their potential customers that the money they spend may be completely wasted".

Mitsotakis emphasised that Greece's response would be "legal and very strict," whilst challenging opposition parties to declare their position on the measures.