{"id":21199,"date":"2026-09-09T02:48:42","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T02:48:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/09\/migrant-facility-plans-move-ahead-despite-local-opposition\/"},"modified":"2026-09-09T02:48:42","modified_gmt":"2026-09-09T02:48:42","slug":"migrant-facility-plans-move-ahead-despite-local-opposition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in-greece.com\/index.php\/2026\/09\/09\/migrant-facility-plans-move-ahead-despite-local-opposition\/","title":{"rendered":"Migrant Facility Plans Move Ahead Despite Local Opposition"},"content":{"rendered":"


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A four-hour meeting between the Greek government and representatives from Heraklion ended without an agreement over plans for a new migrant facility on Crete.<\/h3>\n

The government remains committed to establishing the facility at Athanatoi, with capacity for up to 400 people, despite strong opposition from local authorities and residents.<\/p>\n

Minister for Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris said the government had selected the site after examining 12 other locations and made clear that the project would proceed as planned.<\/p>\n

He nevertheless left open the possibility of reconsidering the decision if local authorities formally propose a suitable alternative, even a temporary site, near the port.<\/p>\n

Work at Athanatoi has already started, as the government points to growing migration pressure on Crete.<\/p>\n

The government says Crete has served as a primary gateway for irregular migration for at least the past year and a half, increasing the need for a dedicated facility on the island.<\/p>\n

Local authorities and residents, however, continue to oppose the proposed location.<\/p>\n

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