ATHENS — Greece's request for the return of 1,450 foreigners not approved for the status of asylum to Turkey, based on the EU-Turkey Joint Statement on migration, is being reviewed and an answer is being prepared, a spokesperson of the European Commission said on Thursday.

"The Commission knows the challenges Greece faces and continues to support every effort to continue the returns from the Greek islands to Turkey in the framework of the implementation of the EU-Turkey Statement," the spokesperson said.

The Commission's representative also said that Greece had requested for help from Frontex, the EU's border service, in the same letter, and "the organization may provide practical assistance in implementing returns according to its orders."