The Greek government is reportedly considering a plan to lure investments from affluent Syrian refugees and possibly from other third world migrants who are in Greece or thinking of sneaking into the country, with the relevant deputy foreign minister on Sunday directly referring to such an initiative during televised statements.
«Our job is to seek out investments, to search everywhere; in the Middle East to the Far East to the United States» deputy minister Dimitris Mardas said in statements to a local television channel (Skai).
He alternatively used the terms «refugees» and «migrants» before stating: «The idea is to record the migrants’ economic profile, as among the total (of this group) there are some that hold a sum of money that is located in some foreign banks. This group of people (the wealthy refugees and/or third country migrants) could be eligible under a law we have – or for a new law to be enacted … which states that whoever brings 250,000 euros to the country (Greece) will enjoy a more favorable regime for the purchase of a residence or towards the right to (legal) residency in the country».
Mardas continued his “silver lining” reasoning by saying that «if a certain Syrian businessman brings such a sum, or another sum, then he can immediately be transferred to a leased house…»
Finally, the minister said a draft plan has been filed with the foreign minister’s office and circulated to other relevant ministers as well as to the Greek prime minister, with decisions pending.
