The government is starting Immediately of a decaying business of Crete by the approximately 1,500 illegal immigrants who have arrived on the island in recent days, in an attempt to reduce the pressure that local communities and infrastructure have received.
The operational data was examined at a wide -ranging meeting on Monday morning at the Maximus Mansion, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, Kostis Hatzidakis. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Citizen Protection, Michalis Chrysochoidis, Immigration, Thanos Plevris, the Deputy Minister of Prime Minister George Mylonakis, as well as the Chief of the Coast Guard, Vice Admiral Tryfas.
According to the decision, the Coast Guard and the Greek Police will take over about 600-700 immigrants to closed hospitality structures to the mainland. The business begins tonight, with the first team of 500 immigrants, and is expected to be completed tomorrow, reducing almost half the number of illegal immigrants in Crete.
It is noteworthy that, according to the competent authorities, today’s flows were low, while on the Libyan side, assurances are reported that the recent rise was temporary and that migratory flows are limited.
At the same time, under the coordination of the Single Research and Rescue Coordination Center (EKSED), 40 foreigners were located in the morning, 25 nautical miles south of Gavdos. The occupants were collected by an additional ship with a Singapore flag that responded to the danger signal. Subsequently, with the assistance of the Port Authority, their safe transport was organized to the port of Sfakia.
European dimension of immigration: Mitsotakis and Brunner message
The issue of the migration also addressed the meeting of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis with European Council President Antonio Costa. The prime minister emphasized the broader impact of the phenomenon on society, the economy and the security of the whole of Europe. As Mr. Mitsotakis emphasized, “After a period of rest, we had significant arrivals in Crete in the last 48 hours. This reaffirms the need for more coordinated protection of EU external borders to deal more effectively by traffickers’ networks” On the occasion of the new migratory flows from East Libya to Crete, the European Commission spokesman, Magnus Brunner, spent the need for EU cooperation with various factors on all sides in Libya. “I can confirm that we are in touch with all relevant factors on all sidesThe Commission spokesman stressed. The same spokesman recalled the letter of the European Commission President, Ursula von der Layen, to the European Council last June, in which it is noted that “The political situation and security situation in Libya is critical, so the political commitment of EU Member States is vital, taking into account the geopolitical consequences for the EU. ” The same letter also states that “given the status and indications of possible use of immigration for political purposes, we must work with the various factors on the spot».