Former Regional Governor Galiatsatos says Yes to refugees being accepted in the Ionian Islands - "Kratsa is a hypocrite"

Former Regional Governor Theodoros Galiatsatos expressed his view that the Ionian Islands must support those seeking asylum in our country and help them in this difficult time for them - but with specific conditions, the most important of which is not to set up a temporary accommodation centre for them.

The leader of the ANASA party made his position clear regarding the allocation of asylum-seekers throughout the ten regions in the country, including the Ionian Islands. He told Enimerosi:



"Ms. Kratsa (the new Regional Governor) must stop hiding behind the pretence that she has expressed her opposition to the acceptance of refugees in our Region. It is quite clear that the Ministry has issued a request for declaration of interest to all the Regions so that those interested can declare their interest in accommodating refugees temporarily in their properties.

It is hypocritical for Ms. Kratsa to say either that she doesn't know or that she has expressed her opposition to the acceptance of refugees and immigrants in the Ionian Islands.

Our position is clear. We want decent living conditions for the people that need to be accommodated on our islands and gradual integration into the local economy for the benefit of all.

If the Government requests it, we believe the Ionian Islands Region is obliged to contribute to the support of these people who are temporarily in our country and the condition that we would set - just as in 2016 when we were also requested - is that these people, refugees and immigrants, must have decent living conditions.

We reject the operation of a reception facility in the Ionian Islands, which means that these people must be provided with accommodation in hotels or other tourist properties and everything must be taken care of to ensure smooth integration into the community for as long as they stay here."