Greece’s borders are Europe’s borders  and Greece should decide on the best way to protect them said Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos during his meeting with German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Athens on Thursday.

“Europe has borders and its borders are defined by international and European law. These borders are the borders of the member-states, as defined by sovereign member-states. We will protect these borders together, but what these borders are and what is the best way to protect them is a matter for each state to define,” Pavlopoulos told Steinmeier.

The German foreign minister said that it is not possible to find any solutions if each state lays responsibility for the refugee crisis on the other. He also stressed the need for a common European policy in order to tackle the problem adding that burdens must be shared more equally.

He also expressed his appreciation of Mr. Pavlopoulos by praising his efforts to defend the European idea and he invited him to visit Berlin on January 18.