necessary specialised police forces will be made available for the new centre on Samos which should be operational as of August 2007, so he promised. According to the minister the irregular migrants are desperate and very often misled by human traffickers. If people are told to go back by the Greek navy, when intercepted at sea, boats are pierced and the navy becomes a rescue team following national and international legislation. He stated that Greece received 100.000 irregular migrants in the year 2006 of which 80.000 could be returned. Ending up with around 20.000 people per year staying within the country is a heavy burden, he said. The minister concluded by saying that there is a good spirit within the JHA Council, but at the same time he is facing a lack of action and final decisions. A good spirit only is not enough. There should be no discounts made on humanitarianism when receiving ‘uninvited visitors’ this is a management exercise on a global level, he said. Human treatment must be ensured through interstate agreements. 9. Meeting with the representatives of NGO’s and IO’s in Athens (15.06.2007) Most representatives stressed that the briefing of the delegation on the situation in the reception centres is accurate and in accordance with their experiences. A little debate was triggered on whether or not sufficient access to legal assistance was given to detainees and if so, whether it would be free of charge. Apparently, the problem in Greece is that there is no free legal aid system funded by the state authorities. NGO’s and volunteer lawyers are trying to provide free legal assistance but they cannot fill all the existing gaps, especially when it comes to non asylum seekers. The necessity of a clear institutional framework was underlined: who is responsible for what and when, both on a local and national level. The representatives acknowledge that, although progress is made in general, Greece has still a long way to go. Amongst other things they referred to the horrific circumstances in Patra as well as the ongoing practices in police stations in for example the Evros region. The Evros region has a sensitive border area with Turkey and is facing a large migrant influx from Turkey (lately many Iraqis). They are arrested and detained in small police stations. In many cases, their identity is not registered and they are not informed about their rights. They are simply expelled to Turkey. One NGO claimed that Greece has not ratified the 4th protocol to the convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms (article 4 stating that mass deportations are prohibited). 10. Meeting with the Minister of Interior, Public Administration and Decentralisation, Mr Prokopis PAVLOPOULOS (15.06.2007) The Minister stressed the geographical situation of Greece: the vast maritime as well as land borders, non EU countries as neighbouring states, just by chance that Greece is the first stopping point etc. He admitted that both, Greece and the EU, woke up too late. He denounced the lack of solidarity within the EU and acknowledged the fact that the institutional framework in Greece should be further improved. The minister underlined that it is not simply a matter of costs. Full respect for human rights does ask for much more, he said. In reply to questions regarding the protocol between Greece and Turkey on combating crime (especially terrorism, organised crime, illicit drug trafficking and illegal immigration), the PV\675423EN.doc 9/16 PE 392.010v02-00 EN