Stelios Petsas: No alternative to government's plan for closed refugee-migrant camps

There is no alternative to the government's plan to build closed structures for accommodating refugees and migrants, said government spokesperson Stelios Petsas on Tuesday at a press briefing.

"The works for the closed facilities for migrants and refugees on the five islands will start immediately," he said, adding that dialogue on this cannot continue indefinitely. "The existing facilities must close in order for the new ones to be built," he pointed out, noting that the new facilities will be far from urban areas and will offer primary healthcare, while new staff will be hired. He also noted that the new facilities will help discourage new arrivals from the Turkish coast, among those that do not qualify for asylum.

"The plan is in the interests of the country and of the local communities," he said, adding that "there are also health reasons that make the building of closed facilities imperative."

Referring to the EU Summit and the Multiannual Financial Framework 2020-2027, he said that it was a difficult negotiation that did not bear any fruit. He pointed out that the government is asking for what is self-evident, namely the protection of farmers' incomes, more funds for cohesion policy and funds for the transition to the post-lignite era in the region of western Macedonia and in the town of Megalopolis, as well as funds for coping with migration.

Finally, he referred to the signing of the agreements with UEFA and FIFA on reforming Greek football, as well as measures against coronavirus and Greece's preparedeness to address possible coronavirus incidents.