His opposition to SYRIZA-PS in the creation closed-structure for immigrants in Chios, as stated in a joint statement by the relevant SYRIZA sector head, George Psychogios, the member of parliament from Chios, Andreas Michaelides and the Member of the European Parliament, Kostas Arvanitis.
In their announcement, they state:
«The events unfolding over the past few hours on Chios are reminiscent of the dramatic events that took place in February 2020. For the second time, the residents of the North Aegean islands are standing up against the government’s irrational policies. The people of Chios, having already made clear their opposition to the closed facility that Mr. Mitarakis wants to build in Tholos, made their stance clear this morning by blocking the ship «Pelagitis» from unloading the contractor’s machinery at both the port of Mesta and the port of Chios.».
They go on to argue that «the clearest «no» to the inhumane and futile policies that are turning the islands and the country into a prison for tens of thousands of souls and a «crocodile» on Europe’s behalf, was delivered to the Minister by his fellow citizens. We hope this will serve as a wake-up call for him to realize that the country’s interests and adherence to the principles of international law are not compatible with policies à la Orbán and Salvini. The pharaonic and Orwellian prisons being planned by the government, in collaboration with Ms. Ursula von der Leyen and Mr. M. Schinas, have already been condemned in the collective consciousness of our people.».
Finally, they call on the government and EU leadership «to stop hiding behind the flowery language of the proposed New Pact on Migration and ‘Asylum»« and add: »Their failed Pact will not pass—not in the European Parliament, not in Chios, not anywhere! Europe needs solutions based on humanity, respect for international law, and genuine solidarity among its peoples; it needs a functional mechanism for mandatory and equitable relocation, legal and safe routes, efforts to address the root causes of refugee flows and migration, democracy, and dialogue. We need solidarity with refugees, but also solidarity from the mainland with the islands and from the other Member States with the countries of first entry. This is the only humane policy and the best response to any form of exploitation.”.
