Avramopoulos: Europe stands at Greece's side in handling migration

Greece is not alone in the face of the migration issue, European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos said on Monday, after attending a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis in Athens.

"Greece is an important factor for stability; we must be better prepared for the future because we do not know what the future will bring. The major issue of migration and security will have the best possible management", Avramopoulos said, adding that he had assured Mitsotakis of the European Commission's constant cooperation.

"With the initiatives that have been taken, it is certain - given the government's decision - that management in the future will be more efficient. The Greece of solidarity and responsibility is here and Europe is here beside it," the Commissioner said, while noting that cooperation with Turkey was essential.

"I want to believe that with good will and a positive attitude we will have good results," he added.

The meeting, the first between the new Greek government and a member of the Commission, focused on migration and security issues ahead of the informal EU summit in Helsinki. It was attended by Avramopoulos and the Greek ministers responsible for migration policy, who presented the situation currently prevailing in the region and referred to recent migration flows that have been observed.