Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had threatened to increase the rate of new arrivals at Turkey’s border with Greece.

“Hundreds of thousands have crossed, soon we will reach millions”, - said Erdogan in a televised speech. The United Nations’ migration organization estimates the number to be much lower, at around 13 000 people.

Erdogan called on Europe to help take responsibility.

“After we opened the doors, there were multiple calls saying “close the doors”, - he said. – “I told them it’s done. It’s finished. The doors are now open. Now, you [Europe] will have to take your share of the burden”.

Turkey declared its border to Greece open for the millions of displaced people currently in the country in a bid to pressure the EU into supporting Turkey’s role in the conflict in Syria.