On 29 March 2021, Ylva Johansson, European Commissioner for Home Affairs, travelled to the Greek islands of Lesbos and Samos. Together with Notis Mitarachi, Greek Minister for Migration and Asylum, they assessed progress of construction works of the new reception and identification centres on both islands.

On this occasion, the European Commission awarded a grant of €155 million to the Greek authorities to build new reception centres on the Greek islands of Lesbos and Chios. This award comes on top of €121 million awarded in November 2020 for the construction of reception centres on the islands of Samos, Kos and Leros. This funding will finance the construction of new reception facilities that will provide adequate living conditions and operate with fast, fair and effective procedures, in accordance with EU law and European Asylum Support Office standards on reception facilities.

This video shows the joint press conference held in Lesbos by Ylva Johansson and Notis Mitarachi, and the following question and answer session.