Closed Pre-Departure Migrant Camps to Operate Soon, PM Mitsotakis Declares

In an interview with SKAI TV on Sunday morning, Greek Premier Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced that closed pre-departure migrant camps will soon begin their operation in Greece, for all those who enter the country but are not granted asylum status.
Migrants will wait there for their eventual return to their country of origin.
Mitsotakis said that the system is “tightening up” and focusing on giving asylum to migrants who qualify, while the rest will be returned to their countries.
More details on centers where migrants will await their return will be announced shortly, the PM said.

Στο μεταναστευτικό έχουμε διαφορετική πολιτική από την προηγούμενη κυβέρνηση. Αλλάξαμε το νόμο για το άσυλο, ώστε όποιος το δικαιούται να το παίρνει γρήγορα, αλλιώς να επιστρέφει στην Τουρκία ή στη χώρα προέλευσής του. Και ναι, θα δημιουργηθούν κλειστά προαναχωρησιακά κέντρα.

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) November 10, 2019

Referring to the EU, Mitsotakis noted that it is gradually changing its position on asylum, and, referring to Turkey’s stance on migration, he said the government will not negotiate under threats or bullying.
The Prime Minister also referred to a series of other issues during his interview.
Public order
The government is determined to eliminate domestic terrorism, Mitsotakis said.
Referring to a weekend operation by the police which resulted in fifteen detentions and two arrests, he noted that “a very dangerous operational branch of neo-terrorism in Greece” was dismantled. He added that a methodical operation had led to a water-tight court file, which is now in the hands of the judicial authorities.
Mitsotakis also congratulated the Counterterrorism Service for its work and stressed that “slowly but surely, security and order is being restored in Greece.”

Χθες η αντιτρομοκρατική υπηρεσία εξάρθρωσε έναν επικίνδυνο επιχειρησιακό βραχίονα της τρομοκρατίας. Θέλω να επισημάνω ότι 1500 νέοι αστυνομικοί ολοκληρώνουν την εκπαίδευσή τους και ότι επανασυστήθηκε η ομάδα ΔΕΛΤΑ. Οι πολίτες θα αισθανθούν και πάλι ασφαλείς. Αυτό είναι δέσμευση. pic.twitter.com/Hy8WaSXHGL

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) November 10, 2019

He also referred to an investigation at the Athens University of Economics and Business premises by police on Sunday morning, underscoring that universities should be handed back over to students.
“An end is put to hideouts, destructive rioters and firebomb-making labs,” Mitsotakis said.
Economy
Speaking of the economy, the premier mentioned that the excess primary surplus would be distributed at the end of the year to vulnerable segments of society, while he added that property tax (ENFIA) will be reduced next year as well, though not for “those who have villas on Mykonos.”

Με το νέο φορολογικό νομοσχέδιο στοχεύουμε να ανακουφίσουμε τους πιο αδύναμους, να κινητοποιήσουμε παραγωγικές δυνάμεις και να αντιμετωπίσουμε το πρόβλημα της φοροδιαφυγής. Μετά από 10 χρόνια κρίσης, οφείλουμε να διασφαλίσουμε ότι η ανάπτυξη θα αφορά όλους τους Έλληνες.

— Prime Minister GR (@PrimeministerGR) November 10, 2019

(With information from AMNA)