Greek government reaches deal on Lesbos refugee camp

The Greek government agreed Friday that it is essential to reduce the number refugees on Lesbos, according to an official announcement.

Officials met in Athens to discuss the migration crisis and focused on the thousands of refugees and migrants stranded on Lesbos island.

After exchanging “views on the management of the refugee and migration issue in Lesvos, and taking into account the European Union-Turkey Agreement” the parties reached an agreement, according to a statement from the Ministry of State that used an alternative spelling of Lesbos.

Lesbos must first be decongested and living conditions at refugee camps and hot-spots need to be improved, while asylum procedures should be expedited, the agreement said.

Also, the municipality of Moria, Lesbos, will receive compensation for the damages, given that it is the location of the most crowded refugee camp on the island. Measures will also be taken to address the financial and social effect of the crisis on the local community.

And refugee flows from the coast of Turkey will be closely monitored.

The meeting was held by Minister of State Alekos Flabouraris with the participation of various government officials, including Migration Minister Giannis Mouzalas, Lesbos Mayor Spyros Galinos and the General Secretary of the Aegean and Island Policy Giannis Giannelis.

Lesbos currently accommodates almost 6,000 migrants and refugees while it is capable of hosting no more than 3,500, according to government figures.

The EU – Turkish agreement signed in March states that all migrants crossing illegally to Greece must remain at their point of arrival until their asylum request is processed.