“Samos is on the front lines of migration flows, and our priority is to ensure effective support for the local community and to ease congestion at the facility. Our goal is that, by next week, fewer than 3,000 people will be accommodated at the Samos facility,” emphasized Minister of Migration and Asylum, Nikos Panagiotopoulos, during an official visit to the border island on Tuesday. He presented local stakeholders with the plan to reduce the population of the Closed Controlled Facility.
Following a series of meetings with local officials, he stated: “We recognize that the facility in Samos has been under significant strain, especially in recent times. Therefore, it is essential to continue its gradual decongestion through regular transfers of residents to facilities in mainland Greece on two levels: both for unaccompanied minors and the general population.”
@npanagioto από τη Σάμο: «Στόχος μας από την επόμενη εβδομάδα να φιλοξενούνται στη δομή της Σάμου λιγότερα από 3.000 άτομα».
— Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης & Ασύλου (@migrationgovgr) February 26, 2025Διαβάστε το Δελτίο Τύπου εδώ: https://t.co/HvUvSDuGZ5 pic.twitter.com/UUHKTuVZRs
“Security Is Non-Negotiable”
Speaking to local media, Mr. Panagiotopoulos stressed: “For us, security is non-negotiable. Our goal is to intensify the return of irregular migrants whose asylum applications have been rejected to their countries of origin.”
He highlighted the ongoing efforts to ease congestion on the islands and the collaboration with Frontex to implement the return strategy. The Minister also pointed out that, while migration flows decreased in January, smugglers continue their activities, endangering human lives.
The Minister of Migration and Asylum visited Samos to monitor the progress of migration policies firsthand and strengthen cooperation with local authorities. During his visit, he met with local representatives, accompanied by senior officials from the ministry.
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