Greece Says Cannot Handle Migrants; UNHCR Calls Crisis ‘Shameful’

 

Reuters, 07/08 18:27 CET

By Michele Kambas and Stephanie Nebehay

LESBOS, Greece/GENEVA (Reuters) – Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras asked Europe to help in handling tens of thousands of refugees coming in from Syria, Afghanistan and other war zones, saying on Friday his cash-strapped country could not deal with them alone.

The influx has piled pressure on Greece’s services at a time when its own citizens are struggling with harsh cuts and its government is negotiating with the EU and the IMF for fresh loans to stave off economic collapse.

Boatloads of migrants arriving every day had triggered a “humanitarian crisis within the economic crisis,” Tsipras said after a meeting with ministers.

“The EU is being tested on the issue of Greece. It has responded negatively on the economic front – that’s my view. I hope it will respond positively on the humanitarian front,” he said.

Full article available here: Greece Says Cannot Handle Migrants 

Source: Euronews