The operation of the five hotspots depends on fulfillment of EU's financing commitments

The Greek government has not received yet financing from the European Union on the operation of the five hotspots while the response in the two invitations sent to EU country members for support in the staffing was very low.

Specifically, in EASO's invitation for 370 experts only six countries responded (Austria, Belgium, Romania, The Netherlands, Slovakia and Spain) with a total of 81 experts. Moreover, in Frontex invitation for 775 border guards responded, according to EU Commission's official report, only six countries (Belgium, Czech Republic, Lithuania, Portugal, Romania and Sweden) with 48 border guards.

In any case, the Greek side is ready to proceed with the full operation of the hotspots at the point that all the above issues are solved and underlined that every effort will be made for the fulfillment of the obligations.

The ministry is ready for the relocation of the first families to Luxembourg and Sweden and the procedure is expected to be completed in the following days. However, on the relocation mechanism only six member states have informed Greece on the offered positions. Apart from Luxembourg and Sweden, Austria, France, Germany and Spain have expressed interest.

Additionally, the relocation financing issue, which according to the European Commission is considered 'temporary and extraordinary measure', must be clarified and its funding was not provided in the long-term financing programmes that have been drafted before the start of the refugee crisis. The same circles said that all the expenses of the mechanism should be considered an extraordinary funding.

Finally, following the finalisation of the "Needs Evaluation Report" Greece will need 480 million euros for 2016 to confront the refugee crisis.