'Europe seems to forget that the Greek borders are also European borders,' President Pavlopoulos says

On her part, Bakoyannis expressed her concern over the problem adding that the government does nothing and has lost valuable time. Bakoyannis, who is also chairperson of the Political Affairs Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), said that the council, which has the know-how on refugee issues, has taken initiatives so that funds are not lost and the necessary infrastructure is constructed to host refugees on islands where the situation is tragic.

The President agreed that the situation on islands is indeed dramatic and added: "The Council of Europe could contribute to fill the gaps of the European policy. Sometimes Europe seems to forget that there is a very important text, the 2008 Pact on Immigration and Asylum, which outlines Europe's obligations." Pavlopoulos also stressed Greece's significant contribution to that pact.