From 28 to 31 October ALDE MEP Jan Mulder (VVD, the Netherlands) led an EP fact-finding delegation to Greece on the migratory situation in the Evros region at the Greek-Turkish borders and in Athens.. Members visited the detention centres for migrants in Fylakio, Feres, Poros, Vena, Amygdaleza and Ellinikon, and the new asylum service. They also visited the site of the fence in construction  in the Kastanies region. They met the Minister of Public Order and Citizen Protection, the Minister of Maritime Affairs, the Minister of Health, the local authorities of Orestiada, Alexandroupolis and Rodopi, Frontex, European Asylum Support Office, UNHCR and IOM representatives, and NGOs representatives (Greek Council for Refugees, Medecins sans Frontieres, KIPOKA (Movement of the citizens of the city of Athens), etc.).

Jan Mulder said: "The management of migration flows by the Greek authorities has considerably improved since 2010. However the situation in some detention centres like Vena and Ellinikon remains worrying (no day light in the rooms, for example) and our delegation is asking for their immediate closure. Moreover, while we welcome the future transfer of responsibilities from the police to the new asylum service for the processing of asylum applications, we remain concerned about the important backlog, and we ask for this new service to be operational soon and to take it over and treat as soon as possible all the pending cases. We are also worried by some reports of racist attacks against migrants."

He also added: "We understand the difficulties faced by the Greek citizens every day and we will continue to support the country, notably through the access to EU funds, and to Frontex and EASO support. The European Parliament is also committed to encourage the cooperation of third countries of origin, in particular so that they issue the travel documents necessary to repatriate those who can't stay on EU territory. Some long and unnecessary stays in detention centres are shocking, especially for young people who waste a precious time that could be better employed for their education."

"We are not here to criticize, but rather to observe, better understand and try to formulate proposals to address the situation. The Greek borders with Turkey are also borders of the EU, therefore the difficult situation here is a European problem", Mr Mulder concluded.