European Commission cautious on hot spots

European Commission spokeswoman Natasha Bertaud said Tuesday that the responsibility for managing migrant reception centers, or hot spots, in Greece was that of the Greek authorities but said Brussels stood ready to help improve conditions.

Noting that Greek authorities have informed officials in Brussels about increasing tensions in and around a reception center on Leros, Bertaud said it was important to create separate areas for unaccompanied minors, on Leros and elsewhere.

The Leros center is home to some 690 of around 56,000 migrants that are currently in Greece.

The government plans to move around 5,000 migrants out of camps at the capital’s former airport in Elliniko and at the port of Piraeus.