A European Commission source on Friday said that the EC had never called for joint Greek and Turkish coast guard patrols in the Aegean, but simply for more effective guarding of Greek and Turkish borders. The same source said that the media had misrepresented comments made by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

“What president Juncker meant is that it’s unacceptable to have people drowning between Turkey and Lesvos or Kos, in other words, in a 10 kilometer distance, and that better communication and coordination between Greek and Turkish authorities could save many lives,” the source added.