Speech: Opening Remarks of First Vice-President Frans Timmermans and Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos at Kos Press Conference

Opening remarks by the First Vice-President of the European Commission, Frans Timmermans, and EU Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship, Dimitris Avramopoulos, at a press conference held on 4 September 2015 in the Greek island of Kos, in the context of the European migration crisis.

The presence of the European Commission, at its highest level, underlined the European Union's commitment to help the work of local, regional and national authorities in Greece and the rest of the EU. Among the issues discussed were the establishment of a 'Hotspot' in Piraeus and of reception areas at the entry points experiencing massive migration flows, in order for EU agencies such as Frontex, Europol, Eurojust and EASO and their officials to start coordinated work and deal with all the requests.

Greek authorities were also encouraged to take all the necessary administrative actions in order for the Commission to start the disbursement of approximately €450m in financial support from the national programs. The Greek government filed the necessary request to receive immediately a first tranche of €33m.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Number of refugees and migrants arriving in Greece soars 750 per cent over 2014 http://www.europeansources.info/record/number-of-refugees-and-migrants-arriving-in-greece-soars-750-per-cent-over-2014/

Kathimerini, 07.09.15: At least 10,000 migrants to be ferried to mainland in next five days, minister says http://www.ekathimerini.com/201264/article/ekathimerini/news/at-least-10000-migrants-to-be-ferried-to-mainland-in-next-five-days-minister-says

Kathimerini, 04.09.15: Timmermans: Migrant crisis is 'moment of truth' in EU history http://www.ekathimerini.com/201192/article/ekathimerini/news/timmermans-migrant-crisis-is-moment-of-truth-in-eu-history

Deutsche Welle, 04.09.15: EU Commissioners on Kos tell Greece to end the chaos http://dw.com/p/1GRPX

BBC News, 08.09.15: Migrant crisis: Greece acts over Lesbos 'explosion' fears http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-34182719

Deutsche Welle, 06.09.15: Refugees on Kos: Holiday paradise meets harsh reality http://dw.com/p/1GRwl

Kathimerini, 03.09.15: Veteran aid worker expresses frustration with handling of migrant crisis in Greece http://www.ekathimerini.com/201174/article/ekathimerini/community/veteran-aid-worker-expresses-frustration-with-handling-of-migrant-crisis-in-greece

Deutsche Welle, 12.09.15: After days of protest, fragile order returns to Lesbos http://dw.com/p/1GVZR

Kathimerini, 12.09.15: Thessaloniki makes preparations to receive refugees http://www.ekathimerini.com/201469/article/ekathimerini/news/thessaloniki-makes-preparations-to-receive-refugees

Kathimerini, 14.09.15: An Aegean journey of despair http://www.ekathimerini.com/201454/interactive/ekathimerini/special-report/an-aegean-journey-of-despair

Kathimerini, 13.09.15: Babies, children among 34 refugees who drown as boat capsizes off Greek island http://www.ekathimerini.com/201473/article/ekathimerini/news/babies-children-among-34-refugees-who-drown-as-boat-capsizes-off-greek-island

ESO: Information Guide: European Migration Challenges http://www.europeansources.info/record/information-guide-european-migration-challenges/

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