‘We were taken by surprise’, Tsipras on refugee crisis;
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Friday told participants at a high-level meeting convened on the refugees issue on that “we are facing a problem beyond our powers.”
“We must join forces to focus on the people, our duty and the obligation to offer whatever possible to those in need,” he added.
The Greek premier explained that he invited representatives of the local authorities as well as Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos because, as he said, the problem has a humanitarian dimension, and “the state and the Church must cooperate to confront the problems and this is probably the only way that may bring results.”
Tsipras stressed that we must seek a solution not only on national, but also on European level, because we all understand that no local society can handle such a big burden without support.
Additionally, he pledged to again raise the issue of a harmonized VAT rate for Greece’s islands with the European institutions.
According to government sources, the meeting agreed to appoint a coordinator for each island that will work with local mayors and the Aegean’s two regional authorities, forming a coordinating body that will meet every 20 days.
Local governors of the North and South Aegean, the mayors of Lesvos, Samos, Kos, Leros and Chios, as well as the Orthodox Church metropolitans of these islands participated in the meeting, along with Archbishop of Athens and All Greece Ieronymos and several top ministers.
The discussion focused on the problems and needs that exist, and proposals for meeting the basic survival needs of the refugees and migrants arriving on the islands.
The meeting was held at the Maximos Mansion government headquarters.