Alliances sought amid migration pressure

As Greece struggles with a continuing influx of undocumented migrants from both its land and sea borders, Migration Minister Dimitris Vitsas indicated Thursday that authorities will seek a country alliance at the next European Union summit on the refugee crisis.

"I estimate that at least 16 countries are prepared to agree to a joint policy of solidarity," Vitsas told a press conference. The proposal currently being considered by EU officials foresees financial penalties on countries that refuse to take in refugees and share the responsibility of managing the ongoing crisis.

The minister conceded that Greece's system for managing migrant inflows cannot last much longer. An estimated total of 72,000 migrants are currently in Greece. Of these, some 65,000 are in state-run facilities and subsidized accommodation, Vitsas said.

He admitted that there have been...