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Migrant crisis: EU threatens Greece over border controls Migrant crisis: EU threatens Greece over border controls
(about 1 hour later)
Greece has "seriously neglected" its obligations to control the external frontier of Europe's passport-free Schengen zone, the European Commission says in a draft report.Greece has "seriously neglected" its obligations to control the external frontier of Europe's passport-free Schengen zone, the European Commission says in a draft report.
The assessment found failures to register, check and fingerprint migrants arriving in November.The assessment found failures to register, check and fingerprint migrants arriving in November.
Greece is now likely to be given three months to rectify the situation.Greece is now likely to be given three months to rectify the situation.
If it does not improve, the EU may recommend other Schengen states to reintroduce temporary border controls.If it does not improve, the EU may recommend other Schengen states to reintroduce temporary border controls.
The migrant crisis has put the future of the Schengen agreement at risk.The migrant crisis has put the future of the Schengen agreement at risk.
Several EU states, including Austria and Hungary, have already introduced temporary border controls to reduce the number of arrivals.Several EU states, including Austria and Hungary, have already introduced temporary border controls to reduce the number of arrivals.
Greek ministers have reacted angrily to previous suggestions the country could be isolated from the EU's free movement principle.Greek ministers have reacted angrily to previous suggestions the country could be isolated from the EU's free movement principle.
Growing pressureGrowing pressure
More than 850,000 migrants and refugees arrived in Greece last year.More than 850,000 migrants and refugees arrived in Greece last year.
A further 44,000 have reached the Greek islands since the start of 2016, mostly arriving on Lesbos, Samos and Chios from the Turkish mainland.A further 44,000 have reached the Greek islands since the start of 2016, mostly arriving on Lesbos, Samos and Chios from the Turkish mainland.
There is growing pressure on Athens to deal with the flow of migrants, most of whom go on to travel through Europe to countries such as Germany and Sweden.There is growing pressure on Athens to deal with the flow of migrants, most of whom go on to travel through Europe to countries such as Germany and Sweden.
Which countries have removed internal borders?Which countries have removed internal borders?
European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told a news conference in Brussels that the "draft report concludes that Greece seriously neglected its obligations" under the Schengen agreement.European Commission Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis told a news conference in Brussels that the "draft report concludes that Greece seriously neglected its obligations" under the Schengen agreement.
He said there were "serious deficiencies in the carrying out of external border controls that must be overcome and dealt with by the Greek authorities".He said there were "serious deficiencies in the carrying out of external border controls that must be overcome and dealt with by the Greek authorities".
Schengen: Controversial EU free movement deal explainedSchengen: Controversial EU free movement deal explained
Spot checks by EU inspectors in November found Greece was failing to register arrivals properly, to fingerprint everyone, to see whether identity documents were genuine, and to check people against Interpol and other databases.Spot checks by EU inspectors in November found Greece was failing to register arrivals properly, to fingerprint everyone, to see whether identity documents were genuine, and to check people against Interpol and other databases.
In a statement, EU Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos conceded that Greece had "started undertaking efforts towards rectifying and complying with the Schengen rules" since then.In a statement, EU Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos conceded that Greece had "started undertaking efforts towards rectifying and complying with the Schengen rules" since then.
However, "substantial improvements" were needed.However, "substantial improvements" were needed.
Serious warningSerious warning
The report must be approved by other Schengen members before the Commission can set the three-month deadline.The report must be approved by other Schengen members before the Commission can set the three-month deadline.
But this is a serious warning to Greece to improve things, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Brussels.But this is a serious warning to Greece to improve things, says the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Brussels.
Otherwise, border checks to limit the movement of migrants within Europe may be instituted.Otherwise, border checks to limit the movement of migrants within Europe may be instituted.
This could prevent migrants arriving in Greece from travelling north.This could prevent migrants arriving in Greece from travelling north.
Timing is crucial - by the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in BrusselsTiming is crucial - by the BBC's Damian Grammaticas in Brussels
The prospect of many thousands more refugees and migrants coming this summer is what's worrying the countries they head for, primarily Austria, Germany and Sweden.The prospect of many thousands more refugees and migrants coming this summer is what's worrying the countries they head for, primarily Austria, Germany and Sweden.
Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel told an audience on Tuesday: "Of course we must significantly reduce the number of refugees and we are working on that."Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel told an audience on Tuesday: "Of course we must significantly reduce the number of refugees and we are working on that."
So it's likely Greece will now be given until mid-May to get to grips with the influx of people to its islands.So it's likely Greece will now be given until mid-May to get to grips with the influx of people to its islands.
And the timing is crucial. Mid-May could be when a summer surge of refugees reaching the EU is starting to peak.And the timing is crucial. Mid-May could be when a summer surge of refugees reaching the EU is starting to peak.
The temporary border controls which countries like Germany have in place will be due to expire.The temporary border controls which countries like Germany have in place will be due to expire.
To prolong the controls governments will need an official assessment by the European Commission that Greece is still failing.To prolong the controls governments will need an official assessment by the European Commission that Greece is still failing.
Is EU's Schengen border-free dream at an end?
On Monday, several EU states, which have already introduced temporary border controls, said they planned to prolong their restrictions for up to two years.On Monday, several EU states, which have already introduced temporary border controls, said they planned to prolong their restrictions for up to two years.
Article 26 of the Schengen Borders Code allows states to do this "in exceptional circumstances".Article 26 of the Schengen Borders Code allows states to do this "in exceptional circumstances".
Austria's Interior Minister, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, earlier warned that Greece might be excluded from the Schengen zone if it failed to put more resources into curbing the migrant influx.Austria's Interior Minister, Johanna Mikl-Leitner, earlier warned that Greece might be excluded from the Schengen zone if it failed to put more resources into curbing the migrant influx.
'Cemetery of souls''Cemetery of souls'
Meanwhile the EU is said to be considering helping Macedonia, which is not a member of the EU or Schengen, to tighten security at its border with Greece.Meanwhile the EU is said to be considering helping Macedonia, which is not a member of the EU or Schengen, to tighten security at its border with Greece.
But Yiannis Mouzalas, the Greek Migration Minister, condemned the proposals, warning they would only "worsen the trauma".But Yiannis Mouzalas, the Greek Migration Minister, condemned the proposals, warning they would only "worsen the trauma".
"It's not easy to trap [asylum seekers] and we do not intend to become a cemetery of souls," Mr Mouzalas told the Financial Times (behind paywall)."It's not easy to trap [asylum seekers] and we do not intend to become a cemetery of souls," Mr Mouzalas told the Financial Times (behind paywall).
He also told BBC Newsnight that Belgium had told his country to "push" migrants "back in the sea" as a solution to the crisis.He also told BBC Newsnight that Belgium had told his country to "push" migrants "back in the sea" as a solution to the crisis.
However, Belgian Migration Minister Theo Francken condemned the claims, calling them "grotesque and very regrettable".However, Belgian Migration Minister Theo Francken condemned the claims, calling them "grotesque and very regrettable".
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.