Greece calls on EU co-ordinator on refugee crisis to pressure Turkey to implement refugee deal

PM Alexis Tsipras also expected to push for deal implementation at higher EU echelons

The Greek authorities have called on EU Coordinator for the refugee crisis Maarten Verwey to pressure Turkey to implement the EU-Turkey refugee agreement, as the food of refugees and immigrants from Turkey has increased after only the second day the agreement was put into effect. There are currently 1,551 refugees and illegal immigrants on the hotspots on the islands of Lesvos, Samos and Chios, while 4,836 more are waiting to depart for mainland Greece. The Greek authorities reportedly requited from Verwey during a teleconference that he intervenes on the Turkish side to stem the increasing flows of refugees reaching Greek shores. Meanwhile, a Turkish official from the Foreign Ministry stated officials from Greece, the EU and Turkey would meet in Turkey to find ways to implement the recent agreement in a more efficient manner. The EU Summit agreement with Turkey provides that no immigrant will be forcefully relocated back to Turkey, said the Turkish official, adding that half of the criteria the EU had imposed ion Turkey have been completed in exchange for free travel visas to the EU. The Greek PM Alexis Tsipras is expected to take initiatives at the highest levels of EU policy making to push for the implementation of the deal with Turkey.