The Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras presided over an emergency meeting on Tuesday, in order to discuss a number of measures that will help address problems associated with the arrival of migrants and refugees.

According to the written statement released by government spokesman Gabriel Sakellaridis, the government has decided the following:

  1. Transfer of new arrivals to mainland Greece, where they will be distinguished amongst refugees and migrants
  2. Syrian refugees who qualify for asylum will be given necessary travel documents immediately
  3. A plan for the creation of special enclosed areas and camps has been approved, where all medical tests will be carried out, in line with hygiene and security protocols
  4. Take action at upcoming EU summits and conferences to highlight the need for a solution within a European framework and the proportionate distribution of refugees amongst EU countries.

The refugee issue is an international issue – not solely Greek – and demands calmness and humanity. The government stressed in its statement that there was no room for political games and pointless populism when human lives are at stake.