The issue of migration flows, as well as the accommodation of migrants in Crete, was discussed yesterday between Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the Regional Governor of Crete Stavros Arnaoutakis during their meeting.

In his statements, Mr. Arnaoutakis noted that what was agreed upon was the establishment of two temporary stay facilities, as had originally been proposed.

“What we agreed on is that the two facilities we had initially mentioned must be built. We did not discuss a permanent structure,” Arnaoutakis said, adding that migrants arriving—whose numbers have increased in recent days—“must be transferred immediately, as they cannot remain for such a long period of time.”

Arnaoutakis also referred to the difficult conditions in the existing facilities, stressing their unsuitability, especially when there is a large number of migrants, which—as he pointed out—leads to tension and other problems. He mentioned that he had raised the issue with both Mr. Chrysochoidis and Mr. Plevris, highlighting challenges with the availability of security personnel, both coast guard and police.

“They should have already been transferred, because there is a problem. What I raised also concerned the people responsible for guarding the facilities from the Coast Guard and the Police. It’s not possible to have a thousand people and only five or ten guarding them,” Arnaoutakis said.

He added that conditions in Agyia (Chania) and at the site where migrants are being held in Heraklion “are not humane, and there are problems.” He further noted that in Agyia, employees of the Crete Development Organization want to stop going to work due to safety fears, even for their lives, in case of an incident.

Arnaoutakis stressed that 600 migrants will be transferred today, with efforts to relocate the remaining ones as well.

“The key issue is to prevent such high migration flows from Libya,” he clarified, concluding that after his discussion with the prime minister and the ministers, he believes that “there will be improvement.”

Source: ANA-MPA