Greece on Tuesday hit back at EU criticism of its handling of the massive migrant influx, saying the time for blaming Athens was "over" as it prepared to open new centres to register refugees. Athens has come under heavy pressure from fellow EU members to control its borders better, with the bloc imposing a three-month ultimatum last week to remedy "deficiencies" or face effective suspension from the Schengen passport-free zone.
But just two days ahead of an EU leaders' summit where the bloc's worst migration crisis since World War II will be tackled, Defence Minister Panos Kammenos said: "The game of pushing responsibility onto Greece is now over." Kammenos said four of Greece's long-delayed new migrant "hotspot" registration centres were "ready to function and welcome refugees". The centres will open on the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Leros and Samos, which have been struggling to cope with a relentless flow of migrants and refugees landing from Turkey.
A fifth centre on the island of Kos will be ready "in five days" despite strong opposition from the local mayor and residents over the impact on the vital tourism industry, Kammenos told reporters in Athens. "Greece has honoured its commitments - we expect that others do the same," junior defence minister Dimitris Vitsas told reporters.
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