The will of the Government and the Prime Minister, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, for the prioritization of both the development projects and the resolution of Evros’s issues and problems, were highlighted by Alexandroupolis – with the completion of their current tour of the Akritis Prefecture – the Minister of Migration and the Minister of Migration. Thanos Plevris and Deputy Ministers of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection and Internal Affairs, Costas Katsafados and Vassilis Spanakis respectively.

Th. Plevris: our goal is to increase returns

Mr Plevris reported in the tightening of the legislative framework for the returns of immigrants who enter the country illegally in the country, saying that those who are rejected asylum is the only possibility of returning as the procedure of administrative detention and subsequent criminal imprisonment will move. Recognizing the work and contribution of the Akrites and the particular conditions under which Mr Plevris performs it, he spoke of an obligation to support them. To this end, on the current agenda of the issues discussed during his visit to the northern part of the county, the decision of the Ministry of Provision of compensation in Orestiada and in villages around the prison.

The Minister of Immigration and Asylum described the prison cell as a very important thing as it operates in terms of closed structure – it does not burden the local community – “and that we want to be the model of our structures as our priority is to make as many returns as possible and to limit flows”.

Specifically, in terms of the image of migratory flows in the first half, Mr Plevris said that the situation is better this year on the islands of the Eastern Aegean and the Dodecanese where there is a fall of flows of up to 42%. As far as our land borders are concerned, there is an increase in the same time but again in a very controlled point.

The demographic and desolation of the villages of Evros were one of the key issues raised by the inhabitants and institutionalists to the members of the Scale and with regard to it, Mr Plevris said that the demographic is not resolved by immigration and that there is a comprehensive plan and the demographic is at its heart.

Mr. Katsafados: We are responsible for those who guard thermopylae

For all those who have made a choice of life in Evros and, under sometimes difficult and adverse conditions, the Deputy Minister of Climate Crisis and Civil Protection, Costas Katsafados, spoke. Describe the county to the Evros of the fence, Evros, which has proven what it means to guard your borders, which tends to become an energy hub with its port to raise the role of Greece and the region. At the same time, he spoke of Evros with the problems of water scarcity, with the problem of demographics which he said there is all over the country “but here it hurts more because the problem is bigger and on the other because of the geographical location.”

He spoke of the necessity of implementing other important projects in the county and, as Chairman of the Evros Reconstruction Committee, noted that the three of the four goals set at the last meeting of the Commission have already been achieved:

-The savings and finding resources of approximately EUR 25 million for projects related to the reconstruction of the county that have been included in PAMTH’s OCA

-Alexandroupolis’ ferry interconnection with Piraeus, request of the local business world which is estimated to give better opportunities to distribute local products

-Evros Pass for the support of the region and business tourist support

-Following a $ 1 million funds for studies that will be carried out by the DUTH on the ecosystem in the Dadia Forest.

Vassilis Spanakis: More than 120 projects of € 130 million in Evros are funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

More than 120 projects totaling 130m euros in Evros is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Deputy Minister of Interior Vassilis Spanakis, projects that the prefecture had never seen before. Reported to the continuation of the program Marietta Giannakou Modernization and renovation of educational institutions and at the start of work in the coming weeks upgrading of the Garden Border Station. Recognizing the law of the demands of the inhabitants and institutionalists of the county, which have been addressed, he urged to take into account the great picture of what is happening in other countries and what has been achieved in recent years by the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis in our country.