Dimitris Avramopoulos, Greek Commissioner-designate, who is being considered for the portfolio of migration and home affairs responded to questions yesterday (30.09) from the European Parliament's Civil Liberties and Home Affairs Committee during confirmation hearings in Brussels. This post is crucial amid increasing migration flows and international security concerns.

"We need to keep Europe safe and secure," he said, adding, "This must be achieved in full respect of fundamental rights, in compliance with the Schengen rules that allow people to travel without internal border controls, and without building a ‘Fortress Europe’." Avramopoulos, who still holds the post of Greek Defense Minister, highlighted the need for Europe to assume a unified approach on migration, describing legal migration as “a fence” against illegal immigration. His appointment was expected to be confirmed later in the day, ahead of a final vote on the new European Commission on October 22.