EU envoy meets struggling island chiefs

European Commissioner for Migration Dimitris Avramopoulos has told the mayors of five eastern Aegean islands that have borne the brunt of the migration crisis that their demand for the decongestion of overcrowded reception centers will be achieved through further cooperation with Turkey as part of the deal signed with Brussels to stem flows into Europe.

"Managing the refugee and migrant issue is a European and a national challenge," Avramopoulos said on Friday, adding that the deal between Turkey and the EU, signed in March, must continue being implemented and expedited.

To this end, senior Interior Ministry officials and European Commission delegates paid a visit to Ankara on Friday to organize the weekly returns of refugees and migrants to Turkey as stipulated in the March deal.

Referring to the poor living conditions of many migrants, Avramopoulos said "the...