The General Directorate of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Hellenic Ministry of National Defence, as part of its activities, proceeded to the implementation of actions to strengthen bilateral defence relations between Greece and Austria. These actions include the organisation of an expert’s workshop from 28 to 29 June 2022 in Alexandroupolis, as well as an expert workshop in Vienna in September 2022 entitled: “Instrumentalisation of the illegal migration in the framework of hybrid warfare. The role of the military”. Finally, this initiative will conclude with the organisation of an International Conference in Vienna in November 2022.

The aim of the above actions is to draw useful conclusions through the analysis and case studies of migration crisis incidents, present the best practices to prevent and deter the instrumentalisation of the migration issue, as well as to highlight the role of the Armed Forces in managing this threat.

In particular, the impact of irregular migration on border security, its instrumentation by international state or non-state actors to meet their malicious strategic objectives, and the emergence of related threats and challenges, will be considered. The role that the Armed Forces are called upon to take in the management of the migration-refugee issue in Europe, in the present period and in the future will be also discussed.

The plan of this action — in addition to the proceedings of the 1st Workshop — includes bilateral consultations between the General Director of National Defence Policy and International Relations of the Ministry of National Defence, Dr. Konstantinos Balomenos, and his counterpart, Dr. Arnold Kammel.