Athens will transfer migrants who arrived on its territory illegally after March 1 to the northern city of Serres and plans to deport back to their own countries, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said.

Thousands of migrants have made for Greece since Ankara said on February 28 that it would let migrants cross its borders into Europe, despite a commitment to hold them in its territory under a 2016 deal with the EU.

Mitarachi also said late on Wednesday migrants who entered the country prior to January 1, 2019 and living on the islands would be transferred to the mainland in the coming days.

Greece announced on March 1 that it would not accept any new asylum applications for a month following the build-up of migrants at the border. This has triggered criticism from human rights agencies, Reuters said.

Source: RT