Greek gov't planning new approach to migration crisis

The government is planning an overhaul of its management of the refugee crisis, both on an administrative and budgetary level, Kathimerini has learned, while Migration Minister Dimitris Vitsas Wednesday indicated that Greece was open to bilateral discussions about the crisis.

With hundreds of undocumented migrants landing on the Aegean islands every week from neighboring Turkey, and heading to already overcrowded reception facilities, Greek authorities are aiming to contain the problem.

Vitsas told reporters Wednesday that three new reception facilities would be set up on the Greek mainland to allow the relocation of additional migrants from the islands.

Meanwhile, a legislative amendment has been drafted, essentially aimed at centralizing the management of the refugee problem, and is to be submitted to Parliament in the coming days.

To date, services have...