The German Foreign Minister criticized Turkey for opposing Greek sovereignty over the islands off its coast and urged Greece to stop any illegal delays in arrivals across the border.

“There are many complex issues of international law, but some of them are very simple, the Greek islands – Lesbos, Chios, Rhodes and others – are Greek territory, and no one has suspicions of this.”

Beerbock, who will travel to Turkey later on Friday, suggested that NATO members focus their efforts on supporting Ukraine. NATO ratings are exactly what the Russian president wants, so this will be my message from Istanbul this afternoon, and it includes respect for sovereignty of each side.”

“EU countries should do more to ensure the right to apply for asylum at the bloc’s outer borders,” said Beerbuk, who visited a refugee camp near Athens on Thursday.