Press remarks by Vice-President Schinas on immediate actions to support Greece - Main contents

Yesterday, in Evros, in the Greek-Turkish border, the 3 Presidents of the institutions and the rotating presidency of the Council, in an unprecedented sign of solidarity, were on the border to show that we can express tangibly, and give a resounding message of solidarity to Greece at the time when they needed it most.

Presidents von der Leyen and Michel continued to Bulgaria after Evros, where they met Prime Minister Borissov and discussed the situation also there. And we are also in close contact with the government of Cyprus on possible side-effects of the situation.

These visits enabled us to send a very clear and simple message:

Greece's border is Europe's border.

Bulgaria's border is Europe's border.

And Cyprus' border is Europe's border.

Our support to all our 3 Member States that face this extraordinary situation will be unequivocal.

Greece itself faces an incredibly challenging situation - one that is completely unprecedented. And this difficult task cannot fall on Greece alone: it is the responsibility of the whole of Europe. And we have to show that the entire European Union will put its strength and support behind Member States under extreme pressure.

In the College earlier this morning, we decided to adopt an Action Plan of support for Greece, which we will be putting to the extraordinary meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers that will take place later this afternoon. I take this opportunity to thank publicly the Croatian Presidency for responding positively to my request to call for such a meeting. This specific Action Plan of support for Greece has 6 points:

First, as we speak, the European Border and Coast Guard is mobilising assets from our Member States to be deployed in two rapid border intervention operations - at land and at sea. 100 border guards in addition to the current 530 border guards will be deployed by Frontex in Greece, both on the land and the sea borders. Frontex is also preparing the deployment of 1 offshore patrol vessel and 6 coastal patrol vessels, 2 helicopters, 1 aircraft, and 3 thermo-vision vehicles.

Two, we are also asking our European Border and Coast Guard to coordinate a new return programme for the quick return of persons without the right to stay to countries of origin from Greece, making use of Frontex's new mandate on returns.

Three, we are mobilising financial assistance of €350 million which is immediately available to support border and migration management in Greece, in particular to support increased reception capacity, voluntary returns and all the infrastructure needed to carry out screening procedures for health and security. The Commission will in addition propose an amending budget to make available a further €350 million. Overall €700 million.

Fourth, on Greece's request, we launched the Civil Protection Mechanism. Through this facility, Greece can receive assistance in terms of medical equipment, medical teams, shelters, tents, blankets, and other equipment needed.

Fifth, and we have asked the European Asylum Support Office, EASO, to accelerate the deployment of an additional number of around 160 case-workers in Greece to support the processing of asylum applications.

And finally, we believe it is important to further strengthen regional and operational cooperation with our partners in the light of this extraordinary situation. We therefore need to further develop a coordination mechanism with the Western Balkans countries. Status Agreements should also rapidly be concluded and fully implemented between the Western Balkans and the European Border and Coast Guard. We can never allow the dramatic scenes of 2015 and 2016 to repeat themselves.

As we have shown yesterday, when Europe is tested, we are able to prove that we can hold the line and that our unity will prevail. And I expect this resounding message to come out of the Justice and Home Affairs Council tonight as well.

Furthermore, as the President said yesterday in Evros, Turkey is not an enemy, but people are not weapons either. We would do all we can to remember both these principles in the difficult days to come.

Ours is an old continent, and one that has always stood upright in the face of history. And this time will be no different.

Now is the time for concerted action and cool heads.

Looking to the future, I believe the experiences of the last days highlight how important it is that we put in place a comprehensive, well-functioning system for managing migration and asylum: a New Pact on Migration and Asylum that starts from partnerships with countries of origin and transit, establishes robust and efficient procedures at our borders, and guarantees meaningful and effective solidarity.

We now have a chance for a new deal on asylum and migration, and this, I dare to say, will be our last chance. Europe cannot fail twice on such an emblematic objective.

Finally, I hope that what we have witnessed over the past few days, makes it absolutely clear that the need for adequate financing for migration and border management in the next multi-annual budget is an imperative. Our means must match our ambitions. And there is no better time, there is no better day, to say this loud and clearly than there is today.

Thank you.