EU says Schengen zone is at 'serious risk'

BRUSSELS

The European Union on Friday warned that the Schengen borderless area "is at serious risk" and urged Greece to step up efforts to deal with the refugee crisis.

EU nations said in a joint statement on Friday: "The overall functioning of the Schengen area is at serious risk. The difficulties faced by Greece have an impact on the EU as a whole, and have to be resolved collectively."

"Because of its geographical situation, and as result of the shift in migration routes as well as the overall increase in numbers, Greece has been particularly affected by these developments," the statement said.

"The very large number of arrivals is such that the external border controls of any member state would be placed under severe pressure," it added.

EU said more efforts are needed by Greece because of the scale of the refugee and migrant crisis.

"Greece has taken a number of measures to deal with the situation, but that given the scale of the situation, further efforts are needed," the statement said.

Since the beginning of 2015, more than 1 million migrants have entered the European Union.

BRUSSELS

The European Union on Friday warned that the Schengen borderless area "is at serious risk" and urged Greece to step up efforts to deal with the refugee crisis.

"The very large number of arrivals is such that the external border controls of any member state would be placed under severe pressure," it added.

EU said more efforts are needed by Greece because of the scale of the refugee and migrant crisis.

"Greece has taken a number of measures to deal with the situation, but that given the scale of the situation, further efforts are needed," the statement said.

Since the beginning of 2015, more than 1 million migrants have entered the European Union.