Caretaker PM chairs meeting on migration on Lesbos

Caretaker PM Vassiliki Thanou stressed that Greece strictly abides by all EU and international treaties during her participation in a major meeting held on the island of Lesbos to discuss the migrant and refugee crisis. She said that criticism of Greece regarding tension as a result of the country’s handling of migrants came from “isolated voices”. She urged critics to consider the huge responsibility that Greece is forced to bear when guarding European borders along 16,000 miles of coast line.

“Greece is handling an extremely serious international and European problem: the migrant and refugee issue that was recently significantly enlarged and coincided with the term of the caretaker government,” she said in her opening remarks during a meeting attended by a representative of the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), the General Secretariat for Island Policy, the North Aegean Region authority, the Mytilene municipality, police force, coast guard, fire brigade, army, the emergency services and the local hospital.

She said Greece was implementing all treaties without overlooking the need to show solidarity and to respect the dignity of those fleeing violence and humanrights violations at home. She said criticism of Greece was “unacceptable.”

“In our opinion, all the states have an obligation to realise that the solution is for everyone to make every possible effort together, in order to stop the root causes of this great refugee and migration flow. At the same time, while it is underway, to manage it together, since as I said before it is a European and international issue,” she said.

She pointed out that her view was shared by the UN, EC, and other EU officials, adding that Greece cannot handle the crisis without assistance.
Thanou did not fail to thank local residents and authorities for trying to manage a difficult situation on the island as a result of the migrant influx as well as Greece’s armed forces for stepping in to deal with problems.

The caretaker government created a coordinating body with staff from all ministries and agencies involved in handling migration so as to get a grip on a growing problem. She noted that procedures for setting up a Management Authority were underway and near completion so that Greece would be in a position to receive the first installment of 33 millin euros in cash assistance from the EC by September 15.