Greek govt to transfer the refugees stuck in Idomeni to Athens

It is the first time that it is admitted that immigrants and refugees cannot be transferred to other European countries

Deputy Minister of Migration Policy Giannis Mouzalas announced the decision of the government to transfer the refugees and migrants who are stuck in Idomeni after FYROM’s government to allow the entrance only to Afghans, Syrians and Iraqis.

“We don’t believe that borders will be opened. We have set up an operation to get them from Idomeni to Athens. It is not possible to have the railway line closed for 9 days,” said Mr. Mouzalas to Alpha 989 radio station.

“We have the required centers to accommodate them. I hope that the solution that we will provide would be a decent one”.

Commenting on the decision of FYROM authorities he stated that “what happens in Idomeni is a violation of international law. Categorizing a refugee according to his nationality is illegal. ”

This is the first time that it is admitted that immigrants and refugees cannot be transferred to other European countries, confirming the fear about the risk to see thousands of people being stuck in Greece.

Mr. Mouzalas also stressed that Kos would have a refugee identification center warning that “if Kos does not want to experience a similar summer than the previous one, it should accept the center identification of refugees, it constitutes an obligation of Greece towards EU and it will be done”.

Commenting on the results of the EU-Turkey meeting he noted that Turkey should become part of the solution to the refugee issue saying that “from now on Turkey should prove if it deserves what it got, otherwise it won’t get it.”