Greece recalls ambassador as tensions mount ahead of migration crisis talks

Greece has recalled its ambassador to Austria in protest at being sidelined from talks over Europe’s deepening migrant crisis. The move came after Austria held a meeting with Balkan states on the issue to which Greece was not invited. Greece called it an “unfriendly act” and said its ambassador was being recalled “in order to safeguard the friendly relations” between the countries. Greece fears that moves by Balkan states to shut down their borders will create a bottleneck in a country that is already bearing the brunt of the largest movement of refugees in Europe since World War II. The spat came as Europe interior ministers were meeting in Brussels to try to resolve the crisis.

Greece will not accept becoming Europe’s Lebanon, a warehouse of souls

Greek migration minister Yannis Mouzalas

Today’s talks in Brussels will focus on how to shore up the continent’s borders while not undermining a central pillar of the European Union - free movement between countries. Temporary border controls are now in place in a number of countries, including Macedonia which has halted the influx of Afghans while allowing Syrians and Iraqis to cross. Tensions are rising on the Greek side with no sign of a slowing in the tide of refugees. Also under discussion will be the Jungle camp in Calais, where overnight 1,000 migrants attempted to get into the Channel Tunnel secure zone to reach Britain. The authorities in France are planning to demolish half the Jungle camp today.

Lonely initiatives do not lead anywhere. Now, the unity of the union and human lives are at stake

Migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos

EU MIGRANTS