Visit of an EP Delegation to the Hotspot of Lesbos, in Greece. Exchange of views with Francisco Ramos, FRONTEX Operational Coordinator. Statements by Peter NIEDERMULLER (S&amp;D, HU), Head of Delegation, Nicolas KATRAKASAS, European Commission, and Aydan IYIGUENGOER, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)

exchange of views

EU - Greece (T)

visit

Committee on Civil Liberties, Justice and Home Affairs

migration and refugees in Europe (T)

EP delegation

Greece

Frontex

NIEDERMÜLLER, Péter (S&D, HU)

EP Delegation to Greece - Hotspot of Lesbos: exchange of views with local authorities, FRONTEX and FRA Representatives

Mytileni City and views of the sea side, Lesbos (3 shots)

Greek marine guards on patrol, Turkish main land in the background

Exchange of views with Francisco Ramos, FRONTEX Operational Coordinator Lesbos on rescue at sea and protection of external borders (7 shots)

The Moria hotspot, currently holding 4000 people (8 shots)

A delegation of 6 MEPs are allowed to visit the hotspot (3 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), P&#233;ter NIEDERM&#220;LLER (S&amp;D, HU), Head of Delegation, (in reply to question - tomorrow the EU-Turkey agreement is 2 months working, does it have an effect on the hotspot Moria?) The people told us that the life and the work after 20 March (entry into force of EU-Turkey deal) became more difficult than it was before. Many NGOs left the camp because they told that in the new political situation, they don't have the possibility for real work. So the Greek state is working here very very hard, I think so. And of course, this is a tremendous work that they have done here every day. And of course the people are in a very difficult situation, I mean the refugees, the migrants, because they do not have very many alternatives and possibilities. The registration takes place here, they carry out some interviews with them, and after that they will have to make a decision which is very difficult.

SOUNDBITE (English), P&#233;ter NIEDERM&#220;LLER (S&amp;D, HU),  Head of Delegation, Because if they get asylum in Greece they are not allowed to leave Greece. And we now that Greece is in an economic crisis just now. it's not so easy to get into the labour market and things like that. All the other possibility to go back to Turkey, to apply for asylum in Turkey. But many refugees they do not want to go back to Turkey. But the biggest problem, I think so, is that al the refugees understood the situation that Europe closed all borders, and there's a lot of emotion, a lot of tension, against the EU, against Europe. because people say after 20 March, there's actually no possibility to come to Europe from here.

Exterior General Secretariat of Agean and Island policy

Meeting with EASO (European Asylum Support Office), the European Commission and with Aydan Ixiguengoer, General Secretariat of Agean and Island Police (5 shots)

SOUNDBITE (English), Nicolas KATRAKASAS, European Commission, The authorities find, but it is only lastly since now one week or 10 days maximum, they found the possibility to transfer those unaccompanied minors at least part of them, to an open area, that is in the village of Mandamados, and it is managed by a NGO that has praxis to manage there this camp. The situation has improved.

SOUNDBITE (English), Aydan IYIGUENGOER, European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA), The appointment of legal guardianship is basically a major problem in Greece, in addition to the fact that children were in de facto detention for several weeks, which have also in physical, basically, diseases, in panic attacks etc and all kinds of other psychological effects as well. But in addition to the detention reality, the appointment of legal guardianship, which obviously also requires the involvement of the other ministries, particularly the social ministry etc. but I think that is slowly moving on.