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Athens: Greece on Monday called on the EU for a fairer sharing of the migrant burden amid deep concern over a sharp increase in arrivals on some islands in recent weeks.
“Since July 7, there has not been a single day without arrivals,” deputy minister for citizen protection Giorgios Koumoutsakos told the daily Kathimerini in an interview.
On five Aegean islands close to Turkey -- Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros -- “the total number of refugees and migrants has exceeded 20,000,” said the minister, who is responsible for migration policy in Greece’s new conservative government.
“This constitutes an increase of 17 percent in a few weeks.” Lesbos alone, the main port of arrival during the 2015 migrant crisis, had seen an increase of 44 percent compared with the same period last year. August 9 was one of the worst days during the summer period for Lesbos, as six boats with 250 people arrived,” he said. (AFP)
“Since July 7, there has not been a single day without arrivals,” deputy minister for citizen protection Giorgios Koumoutsakos told the daily Kathimerini in an interview.
On five Aegean islands close to Turkey -- Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros -- “the total number of refugees and migrants has exceeded 20,000,” said the minister, who is responsible for migration policy in Greece’s new conservative government.
“This constitutes an increase of 17 percent in a few weeks.” Lesbos alone, the main port of arrival during the 2015 migrant crisis, had seen an increase of 44 percent compared with the same period last year. August 9 was one of the worst days during the summer period for Lesbos, as six boats with 250 people arrived,” he said. (AFP)
