N. Mitarakis: The islet in Evros was not Greek as SYRIZA says – The fence will be extended

The islet in Evros where the 38 migrants were found is not Greek territory as reported by SYRIZA, emphasizes the Minister of Immigration and Asylum Notis Mitarakis.

Speaking to SKAI, Mr. Mitarakis stated that both the Army Geographical Service and the Land Registry clearly stated that the mark left by the immigrants was outside of Greek territory.

The minister noted that Greece cannot be an open vine and Turkey is not a warring country.

“Humanism is very important, but the people who want to come to the EU because of the inequalities that exist in the world are hundreds of millions,” he said and clarified that “we are not talking about a closed Europe, but not a Europe in which they will decide who the smugglers will come.”

Regarding the arrival of migrants to other islands, such as Kythira, he stated that the continuous patrols in the Aegean, as well as the fence in Evros, have forced smugglers to look for other routes to other islands and are exploiting the islets of Evros.

Notis Mitarakis announced that the fence in Evros will be extended by about 80 kilometers more.

The minister made it known that currently 18,000 immigrants are being accommodated in hospitality structures in our country, up from 92,000 in 2020. He also noted that of the 121 structures that existed, 34 are now operating throughout the country. In fact, he stated that this is something that created a problem in some areas, as there were no land workers.

Referring to the refugee flows he said that “last year we had the lowest number of arrivals in the last decade, with 8,500 migrants”. This year is expected to be the second lowest year of the decade in immigration flows with 7,000 immigrant arrivals so far, Mr. Mitarakis added.

He also said that on December 31, all the apartments allocated to asylum seekers across the country will be released, as the relevant program is completed.