Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Wednesday visited the refugee and migrant hotspot currently being prepared on the island of Chios to inspect the progress of the works underway accompanied by Alternate Minister for Migration Policy Yiannis Mouzalas.

Mr. Tsipras arrived by a helicopter and was welcomed by representatives of local authorities. There was a strong police presence due to the demonstrations organized on the island by local bodies to protest for the government’s policies.

“Greece has in difficult conditions and despite the confining fiscal framework succeeded in meeting its obligations,” Tsipras said and thanked the residents, coast guard officers, armed forces personnel and local government for their efforts.

He also said that the Greek islands were being asked to carry the weight of an unprecedented crisis on behalf of all Europe and that it was now Europe’s turn to keep its own commitments calling on Turkey to actively assist in reducing refugee flows.

The reception and identification center on Chios is being set up on the site of a former factory, while 20 housing units out of a total of 75 have already been created. Once complete, the center will be able to house 1,112 refugees and migrants.

The Prime Minister will later visit the island of Leros to inspect another hotspot that is under construction.

After visiting the two islands, Prime Minister will depart for Brussels to attend the European Council.