Greece faces the possibility of being ousted from the Schengen zone as it is considered the “Achilles heel” of the area. For this reason, EU interior ministers are meeting on Friday to consider what to do about Greece’s inability to stem the flow of refugees and others streaming towards the EU.

Public statements regarding Greek secuity in the Schengen bloc did little to curb fears. A lot depends on Friday’s meeting where the Greek government will be called to accelerate its efforts to get a grip on the situation or else it may be in dire straits at the leaders summit on December 17.

Greek Migration Policy Minister Ioannis Mouzalas told Greek Parliament on Thursday that there was talk of ejecting Greece from the Schengen zone, mostly from members that are opposed to admitting refugees into the EU, such as Hungary.

The climate looks set against Greece, who after its Grexit battles over summer is now battling to remain in the Schengen zone, especially after Dutch Eurogroup Chief Jeroen Dijsselbloem made the suggestion that the refugee crisis could trigger a ‘mini-Schengen’.

In an effort to remain in the Schengen Zone, Greece on Thursday activated the EU Civil progection mechanism and agreed to Frontex cooperation.