Greece said Monday it was taking diplomatic action to persuade Macedonia to accept Afghan migrants as thousands were stranded at its border and main port.
“We have begun diplomatic moves… we believe the problem will be resolved,” junior interior minister for migration Yiannis Mouzalas told parliamentary television, without elaborating.
Some 5,000 refugees and migrants are stuck at the border with Macedonia after the neighboring state Sunday refused to allow passage to Afghans, police said.
Another 3,000 people were blocked in Athens after landing at the port of Piraeus from the Aegean islands, a government source said, adding that officials were scrambling to find room for them.
“We do not expect a (diplomatic) solution today,” the government source told AFP, adding: “We will accommodate the Afghans whilst trying to prevent overcrowding at any of the facilities available.”