Greece’s migration minister has promised leaders on the island of Lesbos that there will be no additional migrant transfers to the eastern Aegean islands from the mainland or other parts of the country, a key assurance to a region that has long been on the frontline of the migration crisis.
During a visit to the island, Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, met with local officials, including the North Aegean Regional Governor, Kostas Moutzouris, to address concerns about a new reception center being built.
“No transfers will come from other islands or the mainland,” Mr. Plevris said, specifically ruling out any arrivals from the new migration route to Crete.
“We will cooperate closely to ensure Lesbos carries a fair share and nothing more.”
Mr. Plevris also highlighted a new, tougher migration bill expected to pass this week.
He said it would impose a five-year prison sentence on rejected asylum seekers who do not comply with return orders, giving them "only one option — return.