EU promises border and financial aid to Greece in response to wave of migrants

EU leaders pledged millions of euros in financial aid to Greece on Tuesday to help deal with the migratory wave from neighboring Turkey, warning those wishing to "test the # 39; Europe's unity ".

Flying in a helicopter over the Greek-Turkish border, where thousands of desperate asylum seekers have been trying to break through for days, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the block would provide to Greece "all the necessary support".

"Those looking to test the unity of Europe will be disappointed," said von der Leyen, alongside Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and the heads of the European Council and the European Parliament.

"We will hold the line and our unit will prevail."

The President of the European Commission has said that the bloc would provide 700 million euros ($ 777 million), half of which immediately, to help manage the situation of migrants.

In addition, the EU border agency Frontex will deploy a rapid response team including 100 additional guards supported by coastal patrollers, helicopters and vehicles, she said.

"Our first priority is to ensure the maintenance of order at the Greek external border, which is also the European border," von der Leyen told reporters.

"I am fully determined to mobilize all the operational support necessary for the Greek authorities," she said, adding that Greece was acting as a "shield" for Europe.

More than 500 Frontex guards are currently deployed and Greece could also receive assistance in medical teams, mobile shelters, tents and blankets, she said.

Von der Leyen insisted that "Turkey is not an enemy" but added: "people are not just a means to an end".

A "wake up call" for Europe

Earlier, Mitsotakis announced that Greek border forces had avoided "more than 24,000 illegal entry attempts" by land and sea, making dozens of arrests.

"Europe has not lived up to the migration crisis," he said. "I hope this crisis will serve as a wake-up call for everyone to take responsibility."

The United Nations refugee agency has roughly estimated that there are now around 20,000 migrants massed across the 200-kilometer (125-mile) border with Turkey.

"This is a very rough estimate, as the movement continues towards different sides," said Stella Nanou, UNHCR representative in Greece.

Amid claims by the Turkish side that the Greek security forces would shoot migrants, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, said that it was "essential to act in a proportionate manner and to respect human dignity and international law ".

Greece has vehemently denied these allegations.

"No shots have been fired by Greek border forces against individuals who attempt to enter Greece illegally," said government spokesman Stelios Petsas.

Several aid groups on the Aegean island of Lesbos said on Tuesday that they were suspending their work with the refugees and evacuating staff after attacks on the staff.

"After dark, there are relentless attacks on NGOs, workers, people who are here as volunteers," said Douglas Herman, co-founder of Refocus.

"Most of these organizations have now started to suspend operations, some for an indefinite period," he told AFP.

AFP journalists at the Greek border post in Kastanies saw soldiers board migrants in military vehicles. Other unmarked vans also picked up migrants wandering the streets.

Thousands have arrived at the border since President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced last week that he would no longer prevent them from trying to enter Europe.

Athens has suspended asylum requests and Mitsotakis said on Tuesday that it was "painfully clear" that Turkey "has systematically encouraged and helped tens of thousands of refugees and migrants to enter Greece illegally".

"It is no longer a refugee problem. It is a blatant attempt by Turkey to use desperate people to promote its geopolitical program," said the Greek Prime Minister.

European leaders have insisted that Turkey abide by a 2016 agreement to stop migrant departures in exchange for six billion euros in aid.

Some Syrians accused Turkish troops of pushing them across the border.

Von der Leyen said she had "compassion for migrants who have been lured by false promises in this desperate situation".

Turkey is already hosting some four million refugees and facing another massive influx from Syria where the regime, supported by Russian air power, launches a violent offensive to retake the last province of Idlib, held by the ;opposition.