Portugal offers to take in refugees from Greece

Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa has offered to take in several thousand refugees from Greece in a gesture of “solidarity.”

A copy of the letter from Costa to Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras indicates that Portugal is able to house 2,800 asylum seekers initially but may be able to find room for another 2,500 to 3,000 beyond that.

In his letter, Costa acknowledges that the numbers involved will not make a material difference to Greece’s challenges as the main gateway to the European Union for refugees. However, Portugal’s socialist leader said it is important to show Lisbon’s support to Greece.