Reports of Greece's Potential Exclusion From Schengen Area False

The European Union is not considering excluding Greece from the Schengen area, Greek government spokeswoman Olga Gerovasili said.

ATHENS (Sputnik) — Greece is fulfilling its obligations in providing "hot spots" for migrant identification and placement despite great difficulties, she added, emphasizing Greece's effective border control. This was clearly confirmed during Sunday's EU-Turkey summit on migration in Brussels, she said.

"The EU has never raised the question of Greece leaving the Schengen agreement, and inaccurate reports concerning this matter seek to blame Greece for how the flows of migrants and refugees are directed," Gerovasili said in Wednesday's official statement obtained by Ria Novosti.

Media reports suggested on Wednesday that Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn had warned Greece of a possible suspension of its Schengen membership. Asselborn has denied the reports. Greek Migration Minister Yannis Mouzalas rejected claims that Greece was refusing to share incoming migrant identity data.

Also on Wednesday, European Immigration and Home Affairs Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said Greece should improve its border control.

Over 850,000 migrants arrived to Europe's Mediterranean shores in 2015, according to the International Organization for Migration. Greece received the highest share of the influx, with 700,000 arrivals. The country is the primary European destination for Syrian refugees, from where they seek to travel to wealthier EU states.