Mouzalas fears “negative developments” for Greece at the European Summit

The Alternate Minister of Migration Policy Yannis Mouzalas expressed his concerns about the upcoming European summit on the refugee crisis and fears that it may result in the borders closing, despite Greece fulfilling its obligations. Meanwhile, Mr. Mouzalas stressed that why the government has the political support of New Democracy and PASOK in relation to the refugee crisis, certain European countries are trying to “incriminate” Greece internationally.

Mr. Mouzalas told Star Channel that “Greece is being incriminated, but it was Europe that was caught unprepared to face the refugee crisis” and noted that the first EU meeting on the crisis was on the 27^th of April – by that point the EU had not realized the extent of the problem, while the first decisions were taken at the end of May.

Should the borders with neighboring countries close, Mr. Mouzalas estimated that refugee arrivals will drop and that the number of refugees in Greece will be manageable. He also argued that the goal is not simply to provide refugees with a safe entry into Greece (such as taking down the fence in Evros), but rather safe passage to their destination.

Greece is to receive 475 million euros for the refugee crisis until 2020, with about 50 million euros having been committed, while a further 70 million euros has been allocated to the asylum (and other related) services. Although there are delays in setting up the hot spots and relocation centers, Mr. Mouzalas commented that major efforts are being made to compete the necessary works.

Regarding the reactions over the hot spots, particularly in Kos where local residents recently clashed with the police, Mr. Mouzalas rejected the proposal of setting up processing centers on uninhabited islands: “Refugees have rights – the concept that a refugee will be exiled is foreign to the government” he stressed. He also noted that refugees must be registered and identified within 24 to 72 hours, before being relocated or returned.

According to the Alternate Minister of Migration, Turkey will play a key role in managing the refugee crisis and argued that Greece supported the European action plan which included the providing Turkey with 3 billion euros. When asked about the possibility of joint NATO patrols in the Aegean, the Alternate Minister stated that “if this concerns the Turkish shores, to limit human traffickers and the [refugee] flow from Turkey, then this a positive development. If it involves both shores, then one must examine whether there are complications”.