Despite reductions in the total number of asylum seekers residing in Greece, the number of migrant arrivals has increased dramatically in the last two months for the first time in three years, with numbers more than doubling in the space of eight months overall.

According to the latest official data released by the government, migration flows increased by 235% in August compared with the same month in 2022, and their number reached 7,197 people in just three weeks to September 21.

The increase in the number of people arriving, especially over the previous two months, is putting the reception and hospitality facilities on the Aegean islands in particular under pressure.

On Lesbos, Samos, Chios, Kos and Leros there are now 12,402 people, while the existing facilities on the five islands are designed to host 15,190.

Government plan

In response to the recent rise in the arrivals of migrants, Greece's Migration Ministry has reportedly prepared a plan to deal with the situation. Currently, there are 28,000 asylum seekers in total housed in various types of accommodation facilities across the country.

The government has said that it aims to maximize the capacity of facilities across the country, but alternative scenarios are also being explored in case there are further accelerated increases of arrivals. For example, the distribution centers in Thermopylae and Volos, which had been idle for two years, were reopened a few days ago, so that people who had completed registration processes on the islands could be moved there quickly.

However, due to the large number of arrivals, the services are not able to register those arriving at the Greek reception centers, mainly on the islands, on the same day.

Prime minister raises question at UN

In his address to the General Assembly of the United Nations in New York, Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis reiterated that his government would continue to be firm but fair regarding irregular migration.

"When it comes to immigration, Greece's policy is strict but fair. We focus on preventing irregular migration and improving the efficiency of return procedures. However, we also focus on facilitating safe, orderly and legal immigration, while at the same time speedily examining asylum applications. This issue is not going to go away. Indeed, in recent weeks there have been signs across the Mediterranean that the pressure on our borders is unfortunately increasing again," he said.

Mitsotakis added: "That is why the prevention of departures must be the starting point. We must dismantle the business model of traffickers and their networks if we are to stop people embarking on such dangerous journeys. Working together bilaterally and multilaterally we must strengthen border controls and surveillance mechanisms to identify and intercept smugglers and their activities. We can do this through the use of advanced technology, information sharing and cooperation between border agencies. We must also strengthen the ability of law enforcement to investigate and prosecute those who profit from human desperation, and disrupt money-trafficking networks by strengthening the tools to identify and seize traffickers' assets."

In conclusion, Mitsotakis said that stronger agreements are needed with Turkey and North African states if Europe is to tackle the issue and avoid any further refugee "crises".

"We need a holistic approach that raises public awareness of the dangers of smuggling routes. At the same time, as I said, we need to provide legal pathways through family reunification, humanitarian visas, but also the ability to move workers, which Greece has done with new bilateral agreements, such as with Egypt and Bangladesh, said Mitsotakis, concluding: "But, above all, if we want to solve the problem in the Mediterranean, we must work with our partner countries. With Turkey, of course, but also our neighbors in North Africa."