The European Commission wants to get more involved in border management, but is not for their closure, said European Commission spokeswoman, Tove Ernst, when asked to comment on Visegrad calls for Macedonia to close the border with Greece.
“The European Commission welcomes the aid to Macedonia given by EU member states to control the border with Greece, by sending police and security forces. All measures should be taken in coordination with the Greek authorities and Frontex, which are present on the Greek-Macedonian border”, said Ernst.
The spokeswoman said that the European Commission today approved 10 million euros in aid for Macedonia, but stressed that the money was not designated to raise a fence, but to promote a border security system for the managing of the migration issue.
“The refugee crisis has put many countries under tremendous pressure, countries that are on the route, and Europe must stand united in handling the situation. The new financial aid will assist the authorities in FYR Macedonia to improve border management and help with the cost of the force which the EU and Serbia sent in the south. This support complements actions taken to support Greece, including Frontex “, announced the EU Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations , Johannes Hahn, regarding the new financial aid for Macedonia.
