“We should be clear that no country is being threatened with suspension from Schengen,” European Commissioner for Migration, Home Affairs and Citizenship Dimitris Avramopoulos on Friday said in an interview with EurActiv.

In any case, Schengen rules do not foresee the possibility of such a suspension, he underlined adding that the European Commission is here to help and support member states.

“On the contrary what we are trying to do is to safeguard and to strengthen Schengen” he added.

Mr. Avramopoulos stressed the importance of hotspots and said that “Hotspots are important. But detention centers are also needed for those ordered to return to their home countries, particularly if they are not willing to return voluntarily.”

Asked if Athens is doing its job in protecting the EU’s external borders, he answered: “Our borders don’t need to be “protected” from vulnerable people – but they need to be better managed”.