Greek-FYROM border to be sealed?

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders on Sunday said Europe must control its borders but not close them, as divisions deepen over how the continent should stem its huge influx of migrants.

Koenders, whose country currently holds the European Union’s rotating six-month presidency, rejected calls for Macedonia (FYROM) to seal off its borders as he visited the capital Skopje.

“Some (EU) member states have urged Macedonia to close its border with Greece,” Koenders said after a meeting with his Macedonian (FYROM) counterpart Nikola Poposki.
“Effective border control is most important rather than this moment going into a closure.”

Macedonia (FYROM) is not a member of the EU but as a transit country on the Balkan route towards northern Europe, hundreds of thousands of refugees and other migrants passed through its territory last year after landing on Greek beaches from Turkey.

Austria’s Foreign Minister Sebastian Kurz on Friday warned Macedonia (FYROM) that it should be ready to close its border to migrants, saying Vienna may also begin turning refugees away in coming months.

On Sunday he stated at ta NEA daily that “If Greece’s northern borders are closed and refugees are stranded in Greek territory for more than 24 hours, then the interest for European help will drastically change”.