"In these extraordinary circumstances, the first priority is to ensure order at our external border. This difficult task cannot fall on Greece alone: it is the responsibility of the whole of Europe. We have to show unequivocally that the entire European Union will put its strength and support behind Member States faced with external pressure," Commission Vice-President for Migration Margaritis Schinas said.
Speaking ahead of an extraordinary meeting of EU interior ministers, which will be chaired by Croatia's Davor Bozinovic, Schinas presented measures which the Union and its member states should take together to help Greece in dealing with the situation on its border with Turkey.
The EU interior ministers are expected to support the plan.
Commissioner for Home Affairs Ylva Johansson said: "The measures we will present at the extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council today are based on our increased ability to deliver practical support, be it experts or equipment. Our focus is making sure that a short-term political crisis does not turn into a long-term humanitarian one."
The Commission says that urgent action is needed to address the immediate challenges faced by Greece at both its land and sea borders with Turkey, and to monitor developments in Bulgaria and Cyprus. To this end, it will soon present proposals for a New Pact on Migration and Asylum.
In the action plan, the Commission called on the member states to provide the assets needed for the launch of two rapid border intervention operations by the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex) at the land and sea borders between Greece and Turkey.