ATHENS — "We are open to discussing and evaluating all the options proposed by the local community," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Friday from Samos, shortly before visiting the new Closed Controlled Reception Facility. He also pointed out that proposals will be considered for the construction of recreation and sports areas, training areas as well as the location of the new City Hall.

"Then we will have the opportunity to tour the new facility, a modern facility, a secure facility, a facility with controlled entry and exit, a facility whose purpose is to temporarily accommodate – as the minister pointed out – refugees and migrants who arrive on Samos until it has been decided whether they should be granted protection status. That is, whether they are to be given asylum or, in case that they do not get asylum, have to be returned under international agreements to their countries of origin or to Turkey. This is stipulated by the joint EU-Turkey declaration of 2016," the prime minister underlined.

"The facility today accommodates about 300 refugees and migrants. Obviously, Mr. Mayor, it has capacity for more but we estimate that it will be unnecessary. See it as a safety valve in the unfortunate case that things get worse again," Mitsotakis added.

The prime minister was accompanied by Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi, Deputy Minister to the Prime Minister Christos Triantopoulos, the MP for Samos Christodoulos Stefanadis and the MP for Lesvos Charalambos Athanassiou.