Alternate Interior Minister for Civil Protection Yiannis Panousis visited on Monday the Regional Police Directorate and the Regional Fire Departments’ Directorate in Peloponnese and reiterated the government’s intention to support firefighers and police officers in their difficult mission.

The alternate minister underlined during this meeting that Greek Police is a democratic institution that should be reconciled with the citizens. He also stressed that the citizens must understand that the police officers are their friends and not their enemies.

“We are trying to explain to everyone the new identity of the Greek police. We are asking for consensus not only in tackling crime, but also in the police’s new social and preventive role.”

With regard to the issue of the Migrant Detention Centers, Panousis expressed concern that they are likely to get filled up again, as only yesterday 800 undocumented migrants arrived in Mytilene and the number of new arrivals is expected to increase during the summer months.

The Alt. Minister stressed that he will meet soon with representatives of the Coast Guard to discuss  the citical issue of immigration policy, as “Greece can’t cope with any more migrants.”