This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35667769

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Greece slows migrant flow from islands to Athens Migrant crisis: Pressure mounts in Greece as borders tighten
(about 5 hours later)
Large numbers of migrants and refugees are stuck in Greece as Balkan countries announce further restrictions on the number crossing their borders.
Greece is trying to slow the flow to its northern border, to prevent a build-up of people there.
Slovenia and Croatia have each announced that just 580 a day will be allowed through their borders.
So far this year, 100,000 migrants have entered the EU illegally - nearly all of them arriving in Greece.
More than 400 have died on the sea crossing from Turkey.
Migrants held peaceful protests in Athens and at Piraeus port on Friday, angry that they are unable to leave the country.
Hundreds have set off on foot from a transit camp near the capital, hoping to make their own way to the border.
Some carried signs reading "help us" and "we are human".
The Greek government has asked ferry operators to reduce services bringing migrants from islands to the capital Athens in a bid to ease pressure.The Greek government has asked ferry operators to reduce services bringing migrants from islands to the capital Athens in a bid to ease pressure.
It is trying to slow the flow of migrants to its northern border, to prevent a further build-up of people trying to reach other EU states. The camp on the Macedonian border at Idomeni is well above capacity, and more people are waiting nearby.
Countries further north have imposed border restrictions that make it harder for arrivals to move on from Greece.
About 2,800 people massed on Greece's border with Macedonia on Thursday.
Only 100 were allowed to cross, correspondents say.
The camp at Idomeni is above capacity, and more people are waiting nearby.
Desperation on the Greek borderDesperation on the Greek border
Fortress Central EuropeFortress Central Europe
EU migration: Crisis in graphicsEU migration: Crisis in graphics
Last weekend, Macedonia barred entry to Afghans at its border with Greece. Angry protests erupted at the border crossings and Greece was forced to transport hundreds of Afghans back to Athens.Last weekend, Macedonia barred entry to Afghans at its border with Greece. Angry protests erupted at the border crossings and Greece was forced to transport hundreds of Afghans back to Athens.
Thousands of people continue to land on Greece's islands every week, having made the risky crossing from Turkey.Thousands of people continue to land on Greece's islands every week, having made the risky crossing from Turkey.
Meanwhile, a row between Greece and Austria, one of the countries that has tightened its border security, has deepened, with Athens snubbing a request to visit by the Austrian interior minister.Meanwhile, a row between Greece and Austria, one of the countries that has tightened its border security, has deepened, with Athens snubbing a request to visit by the Austrian interior minister.
Johanna Mikl-Leitner had warned that if Greece could not secure the external borders of the EU, then other countries would have to take action.Johanna Mikl-Leitner had warned that if Greece could not secure the external borders of the EU, then other countries would have to take action.
Around 2,000 migrants arrived at the port of Piraeus, near Athens, on Thursday alone. In northern Greece, protesters briefly blocked the entrance to a new proposed camp for migrants near Polykastro.
However, many cannot now travel further north, and the numbers stuck in Greece are building.
In northern Greece, protesters blocked the entrance to a new proposed camp for migrants near Polykastro.
Some local people said they were concerned that the camp would become permanent.Some local people said they were concerned that the camp would become permanent.
The government minister responsible for shipping, Theodoros Dritsas, told Mega TV the plan was "a controlled deceleration of refugee movement and flow of immigrants from the islands to the port of Piraeus".The government minister responsible for shipping, Theodoros Dritsas, told Mega TV the plan was "a controlled deceleration of refugee movement and flow of immigrants from the islands to the port of Piraeus".
The aim was to create "new temporary residence areas in Attica [the Athens region] and other parts of the country to address the consequences of the closure of the border," he said.The aim was to create "new temporary residence areas in Attica [the Athens region] and other parts of the country to address the consequences of the closure of the border," he said.
The government had asked that three ships serve as temporary hotels for the refugees and migrants for two or three days, before taking them to Piraeus.The government had asked that three ships serve as temporary hotels for the refugees and migrants for two or three days, before taking them to Piraeus.
However the government would not create a "non-manageable" situation on the islands, Mr Dritsas said.However the government would not create a "non-manageable" situation on the islands, Mr Dritsas said.
The plan particularly affects Lesbos, Chios and Samos, islands which are close to Turkey.The plan particularly affects Lesbos, Chios and Samos, islands which are close to Turkey.
The Catholic humanitarian organisation Caritas tweeted that Thursday night's ferry from Lesbos had not departed, "leaving refugees and migrants stranded".The Catholic humanitarian organisation Caritas tweeted that Thursday night's ferry from Lesbos had not departed, "leaving refugees and migrants stranded".
The island risked becoming "one big camp if refugees and migrants continue to arrive without any option to leave," it said.The island risked becoming "one big camp if refugees and migrants continue to arrive without any option to leave," it said.
Greece had already recalled its ambassador to Austria on Thursday amid sharp divisions among EU states over the migrant crisis.Greece had already recalled its ambassador to Austria on Thursday amid sharp divisions among EU states over the migrant crisis.
It acted after Austria hosted a meeting on the migrant issue with Balkan states, to which Greece was not invited.It acted after Austria hosted a meeting on the migrant issue with Balkan states, to which Greece was not invited.
The Athens government has been criticised by other EU countries for failing to manage the new arrivals - but no progress has been made on a European plan to relocate refugees from Greece.The Athens government has been criticised by other EU countries for failing to manage the new arrivals - but no progress has been made on a European plan to relocate refugees from Greece.
Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has threatened to block all decisions at EU migration summits next month if member states do not agree to take in quotas of migrants.Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has threatened to block all decisions at EU migration summits next month if member states do not agree to take in quotas of migrants.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.