Greece is playing a central role in the dialog between European Union and Turkey as the main issue is to better control the Greek-Turkish border, a German government official said ahead of the EU-Turkey Summit meeting.

“Without Greece it cannot be done and no one wants to do it against the will of the Greeks,” the official said, while adding that the EU does not plan to include joint sea border patrols of the Greek and Turkish coast guard.

“Since the issue is the better control of the Greek-Turkish borders, Greece plays a central role. We discussed extensively with the Greek Prime Minister on all these matters. In this context, it should be seen and it is important the Prime Minister was in Turkey and discussed with the leadership of Turkey,” the official said.