Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras announced the suspension of a planned increase in the VAT tax on five Aegean islands, which have borne the brunt of the migration crisis as a point of first entry.

The announcement was made today, after the conclusion of the EU summit, where Tsipras accepted a German request for Athens to take back migrants that had first been registered in Greece and then traveled to Germany.

The measure applies to the islands of Mytilini, Chios, Samos, Kos and Leros.

Tsipras said the necessary legislative act will be submitted to parliament immediately.

It should be noted that the special VAT discount that had been granted to the islands, due to their role in managing the migration crisis, was due to expire on 1 July, by agreement with Greece’s creditors

Tsipras said that, “Following an agreement with Commission President Juncker, the government will issue a presidential decree that will freeze the VAT increase on the islands that shoulder the burden of the refugee crisis.” He said that exemption will continue as long as he is prime minister.