The leaders of the six nations meeting in Prague said progress on the agreement with Turkey to accept US$3.35 billion from the EU to shore-up its borders to slow the flow of migrants was not progressing fast enough. They called for "rapid and credible results of the implementation of the European Union-Turkey Joint Action Plan".
Faster Action Urged
"The role of the Hellenic Republic [Greece] remains pivotal for migration flows management in the Balkans region. The Prime Ministers of the Visegrad Group countries acknowledge all the efforts by the Greek authorities in that respect and stand ready to provide them with continuous support. If implementation of further measures aimed at strengthening external border protection in the Balkans region prove necessary, it may bring additional impacts on the Hellenic Republic," a statement by the Visegrad group said.
In less diplomatic terms, they say they will secure the north Greek borders with Macedonia and Bulgaria if not enough action is taken to stem the flow of migrants through Turkey and if more positive action is not taken to alleviate the crisis within the Balkan region.
Greece must soon apply for membership in the Visegrád Group after all we do have a "leftist" government.They wouldn't fence out one of them!
— Open Sourcerer (@artifrex) February 16, 2016
Moreover, the statement said action needed to be agreed at an EU summit in March — giving the Greek and Turkish authorities little time to implement their plans. "The weeks before the March European Council will indicate whether the specific measures taken produce satisfactory results so as to avoid repeating the events of 2015," the statement said.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR warned:
"Clearly States have a sovereign right to manage their borders; however, this must be done in accordance with national, EU and international law. The possible damaging impact of individual measures and practices on the rights and lives of refugees has to be considered."
