Citizen Protection Minister Michalis Chryssohoidis met yesterday in Brussels with European Commissioner for Home Affairs Cecilia Malmstrom to discuss how the Commission could support Greece's efforts to set up reception centres for undocumented migrants not eligible for asylum status while they await deportation back to their country. During a joint press conference following the meeting, Chryssohoidis said that Greece is facing a major humanitarian crisis with 150,000 people entering the country every year, noting that the government is determined to implement an action plan aimed at curbing the influx of illegal immigrants and revamping the asylum system.

Concerning detention centres, Chryssohoidis said that these would be evenly distributed across Greece and meet all European standards. On her part, Malmstrom said the Commission would look into different options for aiding Greece, in line with European laws and international standards, stressing, however, the need for more efficient use of EU funds destined for use against illegal migration, noting that their absorption was problematic.