Greece to establish new migrant facilities in Crete, Minister says
The measure, included in an amendment to a migration bill set to be voted on Wednesday, provides for one permanent facility and two temporary detention centers in Hania and Iraklio. The bill aims to streamline legal migration while strengthening controls on irregular arrivals.
Plevris said the facilities are intended to manage rising migration flows and deter individuals without a valid legal basis for asylum. Migrants whose applications are rejected will be placed in administrative detention and returned to their countries of origin, he said.
He added that Greece is working with Egypt, Bangladesh and Pakistan to facilitate returns, in close cooperation with the International Organization for Migration and the UN refugee agency.
According to the minister, migration patterns have shifted significantly. While in 2024 most arrivals came via the Aegean Sea from Turkey, recent figures show Crete accounting for around 40% of entries, making it a primary entry point. Plevris also said enhanced cooperation with Turkish and Libyan authorities has helped curb flows from Syria and parts of Libya.
