Austrian chancellor to visit Greece ahead of help for refugee crisis
Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann is due to visit Greece this week as Vienna prepares to assist Athens in tackling the refugee crisis.
Faymann is due to visit Lesvos with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras to assess the situation on the eastern Aegean island, which has been the main gateway for refugees and migrants sailing from Turkish shores.
One of several “hotspots” for registering refugees so some of them can then be reallocated to other EU countries will be set up on Lesvos. Austria has pledged to provide 100 experts to help man these centers.
Tsipras held a phone call with Faymann and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Saturday to discuss the refugee crisis.
Germany and Austria committed to support Greek efforts to secure more EU funds to cope with the influx and boost staff at EU agencies dealing with borders and refugees which are operating on the ground, Tsipras's office said.
