A clear message regarding migration flows was sent by Migration and Asylum Minister Thanos Plevris, who assured that a closed facility will be created in Crete, emphasizing that “we will never allow thousands of migrants to enter while we just watch.” As he noted on SKAI TV, “the asylum suspension measure is not extreme at all, but it is extraordinary. Even if the measure were extreme, when a minister or prime minister sees 1,000 people arriving per day, they must protect their citizens.”
Read: Plevris on Parapolitika 90.1 at TIF on Migration: The doctrine is detention or return
According to Mr. Plevris, the week before the July amendment on asylum suspension was voted on, which remains in effect for one more month, there were 2,642 migrant arrivals. “All of July closed with approximately 3,650 arrivals, August had 689 – an 80% reduction – and the first 10 days of September we have 75 arrivals, an absolutely manageable number. We’re talking about complete rationalization, as we understand it,” said the Migration Minister.
Plevris: 42% reduction in migration flows
Regarding migration flows in the Eastern Aegean, Thanos Plevris presented data showing a 42% reduction despite management being considerably more difficult: “At least so far it appears there is cooperation with the Turkish coast guard. They don’t accept returns of people, but at least they cooperate when we notify them to stop the boats.”
When asked about Crete, the Migration Minister explained that “we are temporarily using some spaces in Rethymno and Chania for facilities” and added that “it is certain there will be a closed facility on the island, but it cannot happen overnight. You must have management of the situation with temporary facilities.”
Thanos Plevris also referenced the murder of Charlie Kirk in the US, saying: “You see that the model of a typical American conservative right-wing Christian who believed there are two genders and expressed his views is being targeted. A framework of rights agenda targets this model, but I want to comment on this: what would happen if today in America, for example, a Muslim or migrant had been murdered? Do you know what would happen today? All of America would be burning and we must send a clear message that terrorism, wherever it comes from, must be condemned. A father and ideologist was lost because he expressed his ideas.”
