Answer given by Mr Avramopoulos on behalf of the European Commission

23.10.2019

The Commission is following closely the situation on the Greek islands, and is aware of the situation in Samos. Since 2015, the Commission, in cooperation with EU Agencies, has provided operational, technical and financial support to Greece — financial support amounting to EUR 2.07 billion[1] to ensure effective migration management and to improve the situation on the islands, in full respect of human rights. The responsibility for managing migration in Greece rests however with the Greek administration.

The Commission works closely with the Greek authorities to support their needs for additional accommodation suitable for minors, and to ensure that children are urgently moved to appropriate facilities.

The Commission is funding the development of children specific zones in all Reception and Identification Centres and the improvement of reception conditions on the islands; operational support is also provided by EU Agencies to speed up asylum and return procedures and transfers to the mainland.

In addition, the EU budget funds accommodation schemes, apartments and adequate shelters on all islands for most urgent cases. Child protection officers are also present on all ‘hotspot’ islands.

Pursuant to EU legislation, the Commission receives reports on a regular basis on the activities of the implementing partners on the ground (international and non-governmental organisations), which benefit from EU funding, and it monitors the implementation of the EU-funded actions on the ground.

It also participates in technical meetings to monitor the progress of the implementation of the agreed strategies with the national authorities.

• [1] Latest factsheet on EU Financial Support to Greece: https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/what-we-do/policies/european-agenda-migration/background-information_en