Iliana Papangeli<\/a> The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in her response to a letter from Members of European Parliament stated, \u201cIt is of utmost importance to ensure that facts are established in a transparent, thorough and swift manner.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n The letter is dated November 28, 2023 and it is in response to a letter addressed to her on June 22, 2023, from MEPs representing four Eurogroups regarding the Mediterranean\u2019s deadliest shipwreck in recent years, which claimed the lives of over 650 migrants. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Underlining the \u201curgent need\u201d to combat trafficking rings and create safe migration routes, Ursula von der Leyen notes: \u201cCommission stands by the conviction that saving life at sea is a moral duty, as well as a legal obligation for Member States under international law, regardless of the circumstances that have led people to be in distress at sea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition: \u201cWe repeatedly call on all actors involved in search and rescue events to comply with the relevant legal framework.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n In her reply letter, five and a half months after the shipwreck, von der Leyen states that she is aware of the opening of the judicial inquiry, including the investigation by the General Prosecutor\u2019s Office in Greece.<\/p>\n\n\n\n But, referring to the Coast Guard, the president of the Commission makes a statement that raises questions about the actual level of information of European institutions. Her letter states: \u201cThe Hellenic Coast Guard reported to have shared all available audio-visual material with the General Prosecutor\u2019s office to support the ongoing investigation.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Stavros Malichudis<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/wearesolomon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/12\/president-eu-commission-response-pylos.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThe grey areas around the Coast Guard<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n