Συνάντηση του Υπουργού Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου, κ. Νότη Μηταράκη, με τον Υπουργό Εσωτερικών της Γαλλίας, κ. Gerald Darmanin

Τον Υπουργό Εσωτερικών της Γαλλίας, κ. Gerald Darmanin, υποδέχθηκε σήμερα, ο Υπουργός Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου, Mr. Notis Mitarachi, στο κτίριο Κεράνη.

Οι κ.κ. Μηταράκης και Darmanin, είχαν την ευκαιρία να ανταλλάξουν απόψεις για τη διαχείριση του μεταναστευτικού στην Ευρώπη ενόψει και της ανάληψης από τη Γαλλία της Προεδρίας της Ε.Ε. κατά το α’ εξάμηνο του 2022.

Στην συνάντηση αποτυπώθηκε σύγκλιση απόψεων και θέσεων σε κρίσιμους τομείς,  όπως η προστασία των συνόρων καθώς οι δύο χώρες αντιμετωπίζουν κοινές προκλήσεις, η Ελλάδα ως χώρα πρώτης υποδοχής και η Γαλλία ως χώρα προορισμού.

O Υπουργός Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου επεσήμανε την σημασία της ισχυρής συμμαχίας που αναπτύσσουν σε πολλά επίπεδα Ελλάδα και Γαλλία και τόνισε πως και ‘’οι δύο χώρες προτάσσουν την επίτευξη μιας δίκαιης ευρωπαϊκής πολιτικής μετανάστευσης και ασύλου με ισόρροπη κατανομή του βάρους, αλλά και την εμπέδωση αισθήματος ασφαλείας στην Ευρώπη.’’

Αναφορικά με το νέο ευρωπαϊκό Σύμφωνο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου, ο Mr. Mitarachi, μετέφερε την θέση της Ελλάδας ότι ‘’η καθυστέρηση στη διαπραγμάτευση δεν μπορεί να συνεπάγεται συνολική αδράνεια της Επιτροπής στη διαχείριση του μεταναστευτικού, και τόνισε ότι υπάρχουν τουλάχιστον τρεις τομείς, όπως η προστασία των συνόρων, οι εξωτερικές σχέσεις και οι επιστροφές, στους οποίους είναι δυνατή η ανάληψη άμεσης δράσης με το υπάρχον νομοθετικό πλαίσιο.’’

Ο Γάλλος Υπουργός Εσωτερικών, κ. Gerald Darmanin, ο οποίος επισκέφθηκε επίσης χθες τη νέα κλειστή και ελεγχόμενη δομή στη Σάμο, δήλωσε:

ΑΝΕΠΙΣΗΜΗ ΜΕΤΑΦΡΑΣΗ

“Θα ήθελα να ευχαριστήσω τον Υπουργό για τη υποδοχή του εδώ στην Ελλάδα τις τελευταίες δύο ημέρες. Αυτό μου επέτρεψε, τόσο στη Σάμο όσο και σήμερα το πρωί με την ακτοφυλακή, να δω την πλήρη αποτελεσματικότητα των υπηρεσιών της ελληνικής κυβέρνησης στην καταπολέμηση της παράνομης μετανάστευσης, και με αυτόν τον τρόπο γνωρίζουμε καλά στη Γαλλία ότι οι Έλληνες όχι μόνο προστατεύουν τα σύνορά τους αλλά προστατεύουν ολόκληρη την Ευρώπη.

Τους ευχαριστούμε γιατί γνωρίζουμε ότι αυτό γίνεται υπό δύσκολες συνθήκες για τα στελέχη τους, για τις δικές τους διπλωματικές σχέσεις και, φυσικά, για την κοινή γνώμη.

Θέλω επίσης να πω ότι η Γαλλία, η οποία βοήθησε, θα συνεχίσει φυσικά να βοηθά τον ελληνικό λαό, ειδικά επειδή η φιλία μας είναι πολύ ισχυρή μεταξύ των δύο χωρών, όπως μας υπενθύμισαν πολύ πρόσφατα και οι δύο Αρχηγοί των κρατών, αλλά και με τα υλικά μέσα που μπορούμε να διαθέσουμε όσον αφορά την αλληλεγγύη στην οποία η Γαλλία ήταν πάντα σε θέση να ανταποκριθεί όταν το ζήτησε η Ελλάδα,  ειδικά κατά τη διάρκεια των σημαντικότερων κρίσεων στην ιστορία της.

Θέλω επίσης να πω ότι με τον Υπουργό συμφωνήσαμε ότι κατά την επικείμενη Γαλλική Προεδρία της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, σε λίγες εβδομάδες από τώρα, θα πρέπει να  καταλήξουμε σε μια σειρά πολύ συγκεκριμένων προτάσεων για τις ευρωπαϊκές μας χώρες, στον έλεγχο των εξωτερικών συνόρων, όπως προφανώς και στην αλληλεγγύη που οφείλουμε στις μεσογειακές χώρες. Θα έχουμε την ευκαιρία να συζητήσουμε τις προτάσεις αυτές με τον Υπουργό, όταν το επιθυμεί, και γι’ αυτό τον προσκάλεσα να επισκεφθεί μέχρι το τέλος του έτους το Παρίσι.

Θέλω επίσης να πω ότι είμαστε προσηλωμένοι στο να διασφαλίσουμε ότι η Frontex θα λάβει τους απαραίτητους ανθρώπινους και υλικούς πόρους ώστε με εξαιρετικά συγκεκριμένο τρόπο να μπορέσει να ελέγξει τα εξωτερικά σύνορα της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης, όπως συμβαίνει προφανώς στην Ελλάδα. Όλοι πρέπει να εργαστούμε προς αυτήν την κατεύθυνση.

Θα ήθελα να επαναλάβω ότι εάν όλες οι χώρες εργάζονταν όπως η Ελλάδα εργάζεται σήμερα για τον έλεγχο των εξωτερικών συνόρων, τότε αναμφίβολα το μεταναστευτικό ζήτημα θα ήταν λιγότερο σημαντικό στην Ευρώπη και ο προφανής σκοπός της γαλλικής Προεδρίας θα είναι να βασιστεί στο ελληνικό παράδειγμα για την προστασία των εξωτερικών συνόρων προκειμένου να διασφαλισθεί η απρόσκοπτη ελεύθερη κυκλοφορία των λαών μας εντός της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης.”

The Minister of Migration and Asylum, Mr. Notis Mitarachi, met today with the EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, Mrs. Ylva Johansson, in Luxembourg. 

The main topics of the agenda were the current situation in migration, the operation of the first closed controlled access center in Samos, which paves the way for the next day, as well as the preparations that have been made for the winter, mainly in the temporary camp at Mavrovouni, Lesvos. 

Mr. Mitarachi also stressed the need for effective compliance with the EU-Turkey Joint Statement, which, so far, "does not accelerate returns." Special mention was made on the actions that must be taken to effectively deal with smugglers’ networks.  

Additionally, the Minister of Migration and Asylum reiterated Greece’s position, regarding certain articles published, that all the complaints that have been made, are immediately under investigation by the authorities and the independent Judiciary. 

Finally, Mr. Mitarachi participated in the official dinner of the Ministers of Interior of the European People's Party, where the discussion was focused on the current situation in the migration with special emphasis on the developments in Afghanistan. 

Honourable fellow guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

It is my pleasure to be here today on behalf of the European Commission for the inauguration of the new multi-purpose reception and identification center on Samos. The first of a new generation of reception centers on the Aegean islands. 

Less than a year ago, in November 2020, Minister Mitarachi and myself signed the agreement between the European Commission and the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum to finance the construction of new first reception centers on Samos, Kos and Leros. Today, I have had the opportunity to visit the new center here on Samos and see it for the first time in its finished state.

Since 2015, the EU has dedicated over EUR 3.3 billion in financial support to Greece, to support the management of migration. In this context, the new center in Samos entering into operation is an important step. We look forward to the new centers on Kos and Leros being ready, and then to the construction of the new accommodation facilities on Chios and in particular on Lesvos that should start shortly now.

This opening marks a new chapter in the management of migration at the Greek external borders, which are our joint European borders. Migration can be managed, in a controlled, orderly and correct manner. 

To that aim, the new multi-purpose reception center is divided into two, separate sections. One controlled area, with an entry-exit system where residents and staff can enter by using a personal access card, as is the case in many other Member States, and a clearly separated closed pre-removal area.

The new center foresees the necessary infrastructure to allow for a fair and efficient treatment of asylum requests at the European border, with accommodation facilities, safe zones for unaccompanied children and teenagers, with spaces for leisure and social activities and for medical care, and with adapted administrative areas to deal with registration and asylum processes. This creates the conditions for a dignified reception of migrants, without overcrowding, and without putting a strain on the local communities that have experienced a disproportionate pressure in past years. It is important for Europe to support the region and the Greek authorities to improve the conditions on the islands, both for the migrants and for the citizens on the islands.

The Greek authorities have worked over the last year to reduce the overcrowding and improve the processing of asylum requests. While the new accommodation facilities foresee an adapted infrastructure, this process is equally important. Efficient, interconnected processes prevent overcrowding, and make sure that persons do not stay for a long time in the new centers. This is the best answer to care for the mental health of asylum seekers arriving in Europe. As Head of the European Task Force Migration Management, I have been personally committed to support that process, dedicating the support of the European Commission’s services and EU agencies, and engaging European solidarity.

The work is not finished. We need to continue our joint efforts to improve the reception conditions, on the islands and on the mainland. As Commissioner Johansson indicated during her visit in March, we need to double the efforts to ensure that no one should spend another winter in tents. And we must continue to improve integration pathways, to ensure that recognized refugees can take part fully and contribute to our European society. Dedicated support, at local and regional level, eases the integration of recognized beneficiaries of international protection into society.

The Commission, together with the European Asylum Support Office and Frontex, are working closely with the Greek authorities to continue making necessary improvements to streamline processes and enhance capacities, including for the return of persons who do not have the right to stay in the EU. Frontex is present with over 600 persons in Greece, and the European Asylum Support Office with nearly 1 000 persons. And we continue to support the voluntary relocation of asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection to other EU Member States, with over 4 200 persons relocated from Greece since early 2020.

The recent events in Afghanistan remind us that a European approach to migration is needed, now more than ever. They highlight the urgency of making progress on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum that the European Commission proposed one year ago. As President von der Leyen noted in her State of the Union address, it gives us everything we need to manage the different types of situations we face. It will provide the EU with a well-functioning common asylum and migration management system.

The new center in Samos that we inaugurate today is a prime example of such a new, European approach, as it holds the promise of a better, controlled management of migration. And we look forward together with you to the opening of the centers on the other Aegean islands, on Kos and Leros, on Chios and on Lesvos. 

Thank you.

Aiming to ensure the decent living conditions of the resident population and the proper implementation of the necessary reception and identification procedures, the new closed controlled access center of Samos was created with adequate infrastructure, which will contribute to the full coverage of the needs of the residents.

In a nutshell, the innovative organized operation of the new closed controlled access center, that will guarantee the safe accommodation of the beneficiaries as well as the employees are:

The organization of the facility in neighborhoods / distinct areas.

Distinct accommodation / neighborhoods for vulnerable groups such as unaccompanied minors / single parent families, but also general population accommodation, new arrivals and quarantine area.

In each neighborhood there are:

• Restaurant areas with additional use of common areas and places for distribution of non-food items
• Sports facilities
• Recreation areas – playgrounds
• Shared washing machines
• Shared kitchens
• Canteens
• Multiple areas of administration and housing of services such as doctor's offices, creative activity areas and office of psychosocial and legal services
• Green areas cover 25% of the total areas of the new closed controlled access center, while all interiors are air conditioned (both accommodation and administration areas)
• A system of recycling the irrigated water which is occurring from a third-degree water treatment of the wastewater, either in order to be used for toilets, or for the irrigation of the new closed controlled access center and the surrounding reforested areas
• Competent Fire extinguishing system

24/7 security 

The new closed controlled center in Samos is guarded by the Hellenic Police and by a private security company 24 hours a day with the presence of 50 uniformed personnel in each shift. 

General elements

The new closed controlled center for hosting third country nationals in Samos, is being developed in an area of 154 acres, in the "Zervou" location of the Municipality of Eastern Samos. It has a capacity of 3000 guests, which is analyzed as follows:

• 1.560 people general population
• 240 unaccompanied minors
• 240 persons belonging in vulnerable groups, single parent families, women
• 960 in Pre-removal detention Centers

The new closed controlled center includes all the modern technical and functional infrastructure that makes it a safe, controlled access facility, with upgraded living conditions for the accommodated population but also for the staff operating on site.

The construction work of the new closed controlled access center was assigned to the construction company MYTILINEOS SA, in October 2020, after an international open tender, in which all the major construction companies of the country participated.

The construction budget is about 43 million euros and is 100% funded by the European Union..

Security - control

The whole new closed controlled center is surrounded by a double NATO-type security fence, which in combination with the installation at the entrance of the necessary control systems, such as turnstiles, magnetic gates, x-rays, two-factor access control system (identity and fingerprint), ensures secure and controlled entry and exit from the access center to whoever is entitled to it.

In addition, the installation of Closed Surveillance System (CCTV), uses "smart" software in order to warn in time for any emergency events, while it has the ability to give notifications and images to the Local Event Center, at the Control Center in Athens and at the Control Centers of other institutions (eg Hellenic Police). Tourniquets with card readers have been placed in the separate sections of the new closed controlled access center for the protection of the employees and the vulnerable groups, such as unaccompanied children and single parent families.

The accommodation areas are developed in 14,250 sq.m. and are divided into distinct zones, while consisting of 240 containers of 25 sq.m. each with a capacity of 4 people per house, 7 ground floor residential buildings of 500 sq.m. with a capacity of 120 people per building and 2 of 400 sq.m. each with a capacity of 120 people per building. The placement of asylum seekers will be based on ethnic and social criteria (families, people with mobility disabilities, serious health problems, pregnant women).

The new structure in Samos also includes: 

• Accommodation Pre-removal detention Center (8 ground floor residential buildings of 500 sq.m. each, with a total capacity of 960 people)
• Quarantine area covid-19 (37 containers of 25 sq.m. each)
• Sanitary facilities (4 containers and 3 ground floor buildings with a total space of 760 sq.m.),
• Administration spaces (39 containers and 18 ground floor buildings, with a total area of 3,600 sq.m.)
• Creative employment spaces (17 containers, total area 850 sq.m.)
• Computer room (1 container 50 sq.m.)
• Restaurants (8 ground floor buildings, total area 2,600 sq.m.)
• Food Distribution Areas (4 containers of 25 sq.m. each)
• NFIs distribution areas (6 containers of 25 sq.m. each)
• Store Areas (16 containers of 25 sq.m. each), which will be licensed either by the relevant Municipality or by the Ministry for Migration and Asylum
• Laundry and Kitchen areas (19 containers of 25 sq.m. each)
• Areas of cultural activities
• Event areas (2 ground floor buildings, total area 250 sq.m.)
• 3 playgrounds
• 7 sports courts
• Parking spaces

Technical data

All buildings are either metal constructions or prefabricated containers with complete hotel and office equipment.

An asphalt road has been constructed for the communication around the new closed controlled access center between the units.

All the necessary electromechanical systems for safe and uninterrupted operation of the new Closed Controlled Access Center have been installed, such as:

• Fire safety system with permanent water supply system, sprinklers, fire safety system
• Emergency power generators to ensure the power supply of the Closed Controlled Access Center
• Drinking water treatment system
• Energy saving with Heat Recovery Hot Water System with VRV type heat pumps
• Air conditioning, heating-cooling with VRV type heat pumps & split type
• Internet access via Wi-Fi indoors and outdoors
• Management and monitoring of operation of electromechanical equipment through BMS (Building Management System) automation system
• Use of LED luminaires for indoor and outdoor lighting
• Biological treatment of third-degree level wastewater
• Water saving by reusing the treated product of the biological treatment (gray water) in water tanks and irrigation

Within the new Closed Controlled Access Center of Samos, office infrastructure has been implemented for about 400 employees, which will cover the needs of the Ministry for Migration and Asylum, the Hellenic Police and the other involved actors.

The Minister for Migration and Asylum, Mr. Notis Mitarachi , attended the inauguration of the new, modern, closed controlled access center, Mr. Notis Mitarachi.

It is a facility that aims to ensure decent living conditions for the asylum seekers but also to safeguard proper implementation of the necessary reception and identification procedures.

The new closed controlled access center includes all the modern technical and functional infrastructures, in order to become a safe, closed controlled access center, with upgraded living conditions for the asylum seekers, for the employees and the citizens of the island.

The new closed controlled access center in Samos, is developed in an area of approximately 154 acres, in the location "Zervou" of the Municipality of Eastern Samos and has a capacity of 3000 guests.

The whole new closed controlled access center is surrounded by a double NATO type security fence, in combination with a Closed Surveillance System (CCTV), which uses "smart" software in order to warn in time for any emergency events.

The accommodation areas are developed in 14,250 sq.m. and are divided into distinct zones, while consisting of 240 houses of 25 sq.m. each with a capacity of 4 people per house, 7 ground floor residential buildings of 500 sq.m. with a capacity of 120 people per building and 2 of 400 sq.m. each with a capacity of 120 people per building. The placement of asylum seekers will be based on ethnic and social criteria (families, people with mobility disabilities, serious health problems, pregnant women).

Present at the inauguration of the new closed controlled access center were, among others, the Deputy General Manager of DG HOME, Ms. Beate Gminder, the General Secretary for the Reception of Asylum Seekers,, Mr. Manos Logothetis and the  General Manager of the Sustainable Development Sector of MOS company MYTILINEOS, Panagiotis Gardelinos.

Τhe construction budget is about 43 million euros and is 100% funded by the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund of the European Union.

During the ceremony, the Minister for Migration and Asylum, Mr. Notis Mitarachi, made the following statement:

Today's event is not just marking the abolition of the camp in Vathi, but also marks in overall a new period, which encompasses as a main characteristic the continuous and drastic reduction - in practice - of the impact of migration on local communities.

With great joy and satisfaction, I am welcoming you in the first closed controlled access center, in Samos. We are keeping our commitments towards the societies in the islands.

We have created a modern and safe new closed controlled access center for residents, employees and local communities, away from the urban area.

A new closed controlled access center that will give back the lost dignity, to people seeking international protection, but also the necessary conditions of safeguarding and restraint for illegal migrants who are to be returned / deported.

And so it turns into the frontline of a strict but fair migration policy which we apply from the first instance.’

Today Samos, where in a few days we will close the old camp in Vathi, handing over the area to the Municipality and the residents and making way for its usage, is turning the page. In a few months, Kos and Leros will follow and a little later, in 2022, Chios and Lesvos.

The Deputy Director-General in charge of the “Task Force Migration Management” in DG Migration and Home Affairs Mrs Beate Gminder stated:

"The recent events in Afghanistan remind us that a European approach to migration is needed, now more than ever. They highlight the urgency of making progress on the New Pact on Migration and Asylum that the European Commission proposed one year ago. As President Von Der Leyen noted in her State of the Union address, it gives us everything we need to manage the different types of situations we face. It will provide the EU with a well-functioning common asylum and migration management system.

The new centre in Samos that we inaugurate today is a prime example of such a new, European approach, as it holds the promise of a better, controlled management of migration. And we look forward together with you to the opening of the centres on the other Aegean islands, on Kos and Leros, on Chios and on Lesvos.’’

The Secretary General of reception of Asylum Seekers Mr. Manos Logothetis stated:

‘Personally, I feel joy and satisfaction for many reasons, institutional, political and personal.

Firstly, because it starts the operation of a new closed controlled access center, which corresponds to the versions of the times. A European access center, not only because it was fully funded by the European Commission, but also because it essentially met European standards.

Secondly, because we are launching a new model for Greek data. The new closed controlled access center of Samos will have a model and precursor effect, as you will follow new Closed Controlled Access Centers, in Kos and Leros, and in the continuous management in Chios and Lesvos.

The third reason is personal. I feel great emotion because, in addition to the ties that connect me to the island, I lived and worked here as a doctor and Field Coordinator of the Medical and Psychosocial Level of EODY at KYT in Vathi which in a few days closes permanently.

And in fact during the years of the great refugee crisis, from 2015 onwards.’’

The General Manager for Sustainable Engineering Solutions (SES) Business Unit of MYTILINEOS, Mr. Panagiotis Gardelinos, stated:

"We are proud that we managed to build a fully autonomous access center for our all those people who were forced to leave their homelands. Within an extremely tight schedule, without any discounts on the quality of construction.

It could not be done otherwise. The name of MYTILINEOS is now an international guarantee of quality. With perfect know-how, long experience and responsibility, MYTILINEOS is today a leading international industrial and energy company with a dynamic presence on all 5 continents. It is active in the fields of Electricity & Natural Gas, Metallurgy, Renewable Energy Development & Energy Storage and Sustainable Development Projects.’’