The closing off of the Balkan refugee route was a conscious decision by the EU, says Germany

Admission totally contradicts Greek government position on the issue

German head of the governmental press & Information agency Steffen Seibert unequivocally stated Wednesday that the goal of the Council of Europe was the sealing off of the Balkan route to limit the refugee flows. Commenting on the use of force by the authorities of FYROM at Idomeni camp in Greece, he underline that every nation had the right to defend its borders according to international legal standards. ‘The Greek government considers itself capable of handling the refugee crisis at Idomeni, which is why the EU has sent assistance in the form of staff and material’, he said. He stressed that a permanent solution with the participation of all EU member-states was necessary.