Egyptian billionaire in talks with Greeks to buy 'Aylan Island' for housing refugees

Egyptian billionaire who asked Italy and Greece to sell him an island where he would build all infrastructure for housing refugees says he has identified potential locations and is negotiating the purchase of two privately owned Greek islands, UPI reports, as carried by the Patria news agency.  

"We have been corresponding with the owners and expressed our interest in entering negotiations," said a statement from Naguib Sawiris, a tycoon whose wealth is estimated at $3 billion.

The future of the project depends on the Greek government, which would have to increase the maximum number of refugees allowed by law if the project is approved, and Sawiris hopes the nation will also handle the "administrative procedures" related to relocating migrants to the islands.

The billionaire claims that UNHCR, the UN refugee agency, has also offered cooperation for the project, which requires a minimum investment of $100 million. 

In an interview with Newsweek, the billionaire says he is still awaiting responses to letters sent to Italian Prime Minister Renzi and his Greek counterpart Tsipras. 

"I sent them a letter asking for their permission to house refugees there. If you have an island for sale, I am a buyer. That would help me a lot; I need their permission for refugee accommodation and administrative support" in terms of passport control, including a small security unit. 

"I know the Greek government owns numerous uninhabited islands and needs money. By doing this, I would be doing a favor to the entire EU, which is already giving money (to Greece)," he said, adding that he is ready to invest up to $200 million in the project, Index reports.