Turkey, Greece urge Europe to take burden of migration crisis

Turkey and Greece called on Europe on Wednesday to shoulder the burden of the migration crisis as thousands of Syrian refugees are entering the European Union through both countries.

Turkey and Greece are not responsible for the migration crisis, but suffering from the refugee influx, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutouglu told a joint press conference with his visiting Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras.

"This is not a problem of merely Turkey and Greece. Europe should take responsibility," the Greek premier said.

He also stressed that Ankara and Athens must step up cooperation in the fight against smugglers who transport migrants to Europe.

Tsipras is paying a two-day business visit to Turkey, which is focused on tackling the flow of Syrian refugees entering Greece from Turkish territory through Aegean Sea.

Turkey and Greece have decided to establish bilateral mechanisms to tackle the migration problem, Davutoglu said, adding that Greek and Turkish coast guard commanders were having talks to take measures against human trafficking in Aegean Sea.

Floods of migrants are risking their lives to reach Europe, having escaped political crisis and war, mainly in Libya, Iraq, and Syria.

More than 400,000 refugees, most of whom from Syria, have illegally crossed into European countries.

At least 850,000 more refugees are expected to cross the Mediterranean into Europe over the next two years, including 400,000 this year and 450,000 or more in 2016, according to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. Endit