Greece denies it faces Schengen suspension over migrants

Greece's top migration official on Wednesday denied suggestions that its place in the EU's passport-free Schengen zone is in jeopardy because of failings in its handling of the migrant crisis.

The Financial Times had reported that several European ministers and senior EU officials believe threatening suspension from the Schengen zone could persuade Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to "deliver on his promises and take up EU offers of help".

"The FT report contains falsehoods and distortions," junior interior minister for migration Yiannis Mouzalas told reporters.

He added that certain EU countries were "falsely" accusing Athens over shortcomings shared by the bloc as a whole, such as delays in repatriating economic migrants.

Mouzalas said the FT report reflected "commonly used" criticisms against Greece "by these member states", without naming the states.

Hungary and Slovakia have recently criticised Greece for failing to adequately protect the EU's southeastern border...
  AFP
NEWS.GR
2/12/15