Greece sets up new ministry of migration and asylum

ATHENS

The Greek government announced on Wednesday set up of a new ministry on migration and asylum.

Notis Mitarakis has been appointed migration and asylum minister, while Giorgos Koumoutsakos has been appointed alternate minister, according to a statement from a government spokesperson.

"The government, from the first moment, followed a different policy on the refugee-migration issue. With a comprehensive plan based on four axes: guarding the borders, speeding up asylum procedures, increased returns and closed pre-departure centers,” Stelios Petsas announced.

Petsas said the new ministry will ensure the decongestion of the islands which carry the greatest burden in receiving refugees and migrants.

Mitarakis has until now served as deputy minister of labor and social affairs, while Koumoutsakos has been the alternate minister for immigration policy.

The new ministers will be sworn in later on Wednesday.