European Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos on Wednesday warned that Greece needs to improve border controls.
Avramopoulos spoke to Kathimerini daily and said that Greece needs to take immediate and effective action and show results by December 17, ahead of another European Union summit on the refugee issue.
The warning came after reports that European officials brought up the issue of suspending Greece from the Schengen Agreement due to the country’s inadequacy in controlling its borders.
The issue of about 3,000 migrants who don’t qualify for refugee status and are trapped in the Greece-Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia border since November 18 has been criticized by several EU member states.
Avramopoulos said that, “The refugee crisis we’re faced with is unprecedented. It does not solely concern first reception or destination countries, but Europe as a whole.”
“Despite the stifling pressure put on Greece, it is absolutely vital for the country to complete this effort which will lead to tangible results,” the commissioner told Kathimerini.
“The immediate and complete implementation of agreed measures at recent summits, both by Greece as well as by other members states, will reinforce safety at sea borders as well as reintroduce control at the northern borders, where non-identified migrants are trying to continue their journey toward the north,”Avramopoulos continued.
“The Greek government is aware of the need to speed up the process based on the agreed timetables,” he added. The deadline is December 17.
“I’m optimistic that this will put an end to theories of either a Schengen zone collapse or the country exiting the treaty,” the commissioner said.
Greece’s reaction to comments about Schengen suspension
The Greek government reacted to the comments on Greece’s suspension by issuing the following official statement:
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