Migratory flows to Greece's most southern island have spiked recently, with approximately 300 arrivals over the weekend alone. Government estimates suggest that in the last three months, about 1,500 people have arrived by sea from Egypt to Gavdos island, located south of Crete.

The majority of these migrants are reportedly Egyptian men, although a small percentage claim to be citizens of Bangladesh and Pakistan.

Greek Migration Minister Dimitris Kairidis stated in an interview with the news channel Skai that, following discussions with various EU migration ministers, he has brought up the issue with the Commission. He is expecting intervention from the EU body in the coming weeks so that an agreement can be signed with Egypt, along similar lines of the existing EU-Turkey agreement, for the return of migrants to the North African country.

"Things in the east are going well. We succeeded and closed the borders at Evros, controlled the flows in the South East Aegean, and managed to control the flows even on the most difficult front, that of the North East Aegean," Kairidis said. He added: "The situation in the eastern Mediterranean corridor is going well thanks to the initiatives we have taken."

Also read: Eastern Mediterranean: Hundreds of migrants rescued, some missing

'Greece is a crossroads of two immigration corridors'

Crete is next on the agenda for Greece's New Democracy government. Kairidis is expected to be heading a visit to the island in the coming weeks.

"Our country is at a 'crossroads', of two immigration corridors. The problem in Crete is very serious, and the arrivals of immigrants on the coastline there concern mainly Egyptians, not Syrian or Afghan refugees -- that is to say, economic immigrants from Egypt."

Also read: France to deliver ships to Egyptian coast guard as part of EU-Egypt migration deal

At the same time, before any deal can be made, local media observers have been at pains to point out the lack of infrastructure to deal with and host migrants temporarily on Crete.

NGO's such as Refugee Support in the Aegean (RSA) and Social Shelter -- Immigrant Shelter of Chania have voiced ongoing concerns about the lack of reception and identification infrastructure in Crete. At the same time, there is no possibility of submitting an asylum request to those who are entitled to it.

Meanwhile, the arrivals of immigrants to Crete are now a daily phenomenon. On Monday (March 11), a rescue operation was set up for 80-85 people who arrived in the area of Kale Limeni, south of Heraklion, while two more boats were spotted in the early hours of Monday and Sunday again in the south of Heraklion prefecture.

Also read: Egypt, Greece sign deals on migrant rescues, agriculture