By Nikos Bellos
Βrussels
The EU Commission on Friday essentially rang “warning bells” over the ongoing refugee crisis on the continent, which is particularly acute in Greece, saying the Union is preparing for a “humanitarian crisis” in case European leaders do not reach an agreement with Turkish PM Ahmet Davutoglu during a summit meeting on March 8.
Commission spokesman Natasha Bertaud made the announcement, in which she also referred to as an emergency plan. Additionally, she presented figures sent by the Greek government, according to which there are still 25,000 asylum seekers in the country and with 2,000 to 3,000 people arriving every day on various Greek isles in an irregular manner.
Bertaud also noted that Greek DM Panos Kammenos told the Commission that temporary shelters able to 20,000 people will be ready by the weekend in northern Greece.
Along those lines, Greek Migration Policy Minister Yiannis Mouzalas stated from Brussels on Thursday that the leftist Greek government has submitted a plan to the Commission and the EU Dutch presidency, a plan that outlines a set of emergency actions in case of just such a humanitarian crisis.
True to its standing position, the Commission on Thursday again cited the need for “coordinated actions by Europe” on the refugee issue, although every day that passes causes European leaders and government to consider that the closing of borders – essentially a suspension of the Schengen pact – is inevitable.
Speaking from Brussels on Thursday, German Foreign Minister Thomas De Maiziere warned that the Union has 10 days in order to find a solution that will lead to a reduction in the number of refugees. Otherwise, he said, more European measures will be needed.
Diplomatic circles in the Belgian capital interpreted the German FM’s statements as meaning stepped up checks on internal Schengen Pact borders.
