ATHENS — Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis on Friday had a video call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and German Chancellor Angela Merkel. Their discussion focused on possible ways of operational cooperation with the European Union in a new permanent hosting facility for the reception of migrants and refugees that will be built on the Greek island of Lesbos.

The prime minister also presented a video of the new temporary camp that was set up within a few days at a firing range in Kara Tepe to house the displaced migrants and refugees from Moria after this was burned down, comparing this with the conditions at the Moria camp when he took over.

In a tweet about the meeting, the European Commission president said she had a good bilateral meeting with Merkel, whose country currently holds the rotating presidency of the EU, with Mitsotakis joining via video conference to discuss a possible new centre on the island of Lesbos.

"Good bilateral with Chancellor #Merkel, current Council Chair, then joined by VTC by @kmitsotakis, on situation in Lesbos and recent achievements by Greek authorities. Explored further cooperation EU and Greece on possible pilot project on a reception and asylum center on Lesbos," she wrote.