At least 100 refugees arrived on Thursday morning at Greece’s border with Bulgaria in Promachonas as the war in Ukraine intensifies, a local news website reported.
Government spokesman Yiannis Oikonomou said at a press briefing on Thursday that around 1,500 Ukrainians have so far reached the country. Greek authorities said they have two camps on standby in the municipalities of Sintiki and Serres to receive Ukrainian refugees, if necessary.
The plan to host people from Ukraine will be implemented if the infrastructures available in Poland and Slovakia fill up, as the refugees crossing the Greek-Bulgarian border are currently being hosted by friends and relatives.
The Migration Ministry also called on local authorities in northern Greece to locate and prepare structures at the Promachonas customs office, if refugee flows increase in the coming days.
Notis Mitarachis: The most crucial issue is to provide tangible support to the displaced Ukrainians
Migration and Asylum Minister Notis Mitarachi, upon his arrival to the EU Home Affairs Council in Brussels, on Thursday stated that “we expect progress in the much-needed Migration and Asylum Package, but these are not important issues today.” He stressed that “what is crucial is to provide tangible support to the displaced Ukrainians, who have been forced to flee the country due to the Russian invasion.”
In particular, Mitarachi stated: “Many important issues on the agenda today. We welcome President Macron’s proposal to set up a strong Schengen Council to provide leadership in the common area. At the same time, we all expect progress on the much-needed Migration and Asylum Package, but these are not the important issues today. The most crucial thing is to provide tangible support to the displaced Ukrainians, who were forced to leave the country due to the Russian invasion. From a specific Commission proposal, we must take specific decisions today to activate the legal tools to provide a safe haven for Ukrainians.”
Athens can provide housing for Ukrainian refugees at Agios Andreas summer camp facilities, mayor says
Athens municipality can host Ukrainian refugees at its summer camp facilities at Agios Andreas, on the eastern coast of Attica, it said on Wednesday.
Mayor Kostas Bakoyannis said the city is “in contact with the Ukrainian Embassy in Athens to host refugees” and has drawn up a plan to operate the camp. The city will also initiate a humanitarian campaign to collect assistance for Ukrainian people.