EU alliances sought to boost migrant returns

As tensions at migrant camps on the Aegean islands simmer amid continuing arrivals, the government is looking at ways of accelerating the return of those whose asylum applications are rejected.

Greek authorities are seeking alliances with other European countries who either have better ties with migrants' countries of origin or who might be able to help organize the returns.
On Wednesday, Migration Minister Notis Mitarakis and his alternate, George Koumoutsakos, met with Austria's Ambassador to Greece Hermine Poppeller.

Mitarakis underlined the need for European Union member-states to cooperate in establishing common procedures for the return of migrants deemed not to merit refugee status.
"The migration crisis is an issue for all of Europe and should be addressed accordingly," he said. "We are asking our European partners to actively show their solidarity...