operational, legal and financial issues linked to migration management. The Task Force works in a matrix approach, tapping into established resources in DG HOME’s relevant units (policy, operational, financial) and cooperates closely with all other Commission services and EU agencies involved. Its work covers a wide range of coordination and support activities for Member States both in the Eastern and Southern external borders. The Task Force has a coordinating and supporting function and does not change or replace the prime responsibility of the national authorities in migration management on their territory. 303 However, issues arise as its actual role remains unclear. Moreover, its contribution to the fulfillment of the objectives for which it was created is doubted. 304 2.2.2. Reception and identification procedures in Evros Individuals entering Greece through the Greek-Turkish land border in Evros are not subject to the EUTürkiye statement. Therefore, they are not subjected to the fast-track border procedure and there is no geographical restriction imposed on them while their asylum application remains pending. However, they are subjected to reception and identification procedures at the RIC in Fylakio, Orestiada, which was inaugurated in 2013 and is since operating as a closed facility. People transferred to the RIC in Fylakio are also subjected to a “restriction of freedom of movement” applied as a de facto detention measure, meaning that, according to the Law they remain restricted within the premises of the RIC for a period of 5 days that can be extended for up to an additional 20 days. However, according to GCR observation, in few cases, de facto detention in the RIC exceeded 25 days, mostly due to delays in transfers in second line reception facilities, which have reached their capacity. 305 During the reported period, it has been observed that certain arrivals from entry points other than Evros, were channelled to Fylakio RIC, in order to be subjected to reception and identification procedures, as a result of the lack of capacity in the RICs in the mainland (namely in Malakasa and Diavata). New arrivals, including families and minors, once detected and apprehended by the authorities, are first transferred to a border guard police station or the Pre-Removal Detention Centre (PRDC) in Fylakio, where they remain in detention (so called ‘pre-RIC detention’) pending their transfer to the RIC Fylakio. By the end of 2024, the period of pre-RIC detention was limited to a few days as far as GCR is aware. By the end of September 2024, 5,746 individuals were registered by the RIS in Evros, out of which 4,331 were men and 1,415 were women.306 According to official statistics, the nominal capacity of the Fylakio RIC is 768 places, out of which 284 places belong to the Pre-removal Detention Center. It shall be noted that during 2024, a new section (extension) of the RIC, which has 142 accommodation places, started to be in use.307 Moreover, the Safe Zone for UAMs was inaugurated in September 2024. During 2025, 7,673 individuals were registered by the RIS in Evros, out of which 5,751 were men and 1,922 were women. Since 2022, the lodging of asylum applications is no longer conducted by GAS. In the scope of Reception and Identification procedures, RIS conducts the registration of the asylum applications, during which all personal details of the applicants and the reasons for seeking international protection are recorded. According to GCR observation, registration took place immediately upon arrival for all newcomers (single adults, families and UAMs). In a number of cases concerning UAMs, the registration of the asylum application took place in the presence of a Guardianship Officer, however before they were officially appointed to a child protection actor. 303 304 305 306 307 EU Commission, Task Force Migration Management, available at: https://tinyurl.com/4hyxbes9. RSA, What is happening today in the refugee structures on the Aegean islands, available at https://tinyurl.com/bdpc6byj. GCR, Reception of asylum seekers in Greece: the demand for humane conditions remains, 9 November 2023, https://tinyurl.com/5d789w58. Still valid observation in 2024. As per the latest available data (time of writing) published on the MoMA’s website, under Statistics. See also, Reception and Identification Service, 2024, nine months of 2024, registrations of TCNs/stateless persons per location of registration, available in Greek here. MoMA, Reception and Identification Service, Reception and Accomodation, RIC and CCAC, Fylakio RIC, available in Greek (2024) https://migration.gov.gr/statistika/ 73