The European Union’s leaders meet for a summit in Brussels today with refugee issue on top of the agenda.

Refugee crisis needs a collective response, but that has proven hard to find up to now. With the combined political and economic challenges thrown up by the arrival of so many refugees, mainly from the Middle East and Africa, this is the greatest crisis the EU has had to face in its history until now.

Europe must take brave political initiatives now to tackle the refugee crisis, Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said on Thursday, as he arrived for the Summit meeting.

He stressed that Greece is ready to cooperate with Turkey but solely on the basis of international law and the integrity of the accession process.

“We have to find solutions in order to solve this very huge crisis, the humanitarian, refugee crisis. The support of Europe’s frontline countries with respect and solidarity to the refugees is in our common European interest,” Mr. Tsipras said.

“But first of all I think that now is the time to take brave political initiatives to solve the Syrian crisis, to try to stop these waves of refugees in the Mediterranean, the people who want to seek a better life in Europe,” Greek Prime Minister added.

The German chancellor, Angela Merkel before the summit urged the EU to “show solidarity” in dealing the refugee crisis, while in a speech to the Bundestag on Thursday said that EU should provide more support to Turkey which could play a key role in helping the EU manage refugee numbers.

“Without any doubt Turkey plays a key role in this situation. We will not be able to regulate the flow of refugees if we don’t cooperate with Turkey. That includes increasing our support for Turkey in the way that they handle the refugees and humanitarian aid,” said German Chancellor Angela Merkel just ahead of the summit.

French President Francois Hollande said that during the summit leaders will discuss how to protect European borders clarifying that “Our aim is to help,” and adding that Greece will receive help to deal with the refugee crisis.

“It’s very important to create hot spots in Italy and Greece, while Turkey will play a key role” he said.