President Sakellaropoulou: It is time for everyone to assume their responsibilities

"The time has come for everyone to assume their responsibilities," President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou said to visiting European Commission Vice President Margaritis Schinas on Friday.

Sakellaropoulou underlined that "Greece has borne a very heavy burden, much bigger than its share, and especially some of the islands," adding that Lesvos is the most extreme example. She welcomed the immediate action taken for the unaccompanied refugee minors, noting that "the most tragic part of this story are the children and the vulnerable groups".

Sakellaropoulou also pointed out that, if there was one positive thing coming out of the tragic situation and the humanitarian crisis on Lesvos, this was that it helped make clear that everyone had allowed the situation in Moria to fester for too long.

On his part, Schinas stated that "we are ready on September 30 to present our proposals for the new Migration and Asylum Pact and this time I hope we will succeed because, as I have already said, Moria will be here to remind us all that we must change in Europe".

At the same time, he thanked Greece for its enormous efforts over the last few days to address the dire situation on Lesvos, adding that the European Commission is providing support with significant human and material resources to cover the immediate needs of those left without shelter or any belongings in Moria, for housing and food.

"Μaybe the only good thing from this tragedy is that it raises the awareness of European public opinion about the need for a solution," Schinas concluded.