ΑΤΗΕΝS — "The European Commission, following the Greek initiative, is working rapidly to adopt a common European framework for vaccination certificates, which we will present in the coming days. Our goal is to facilitate safe travel, so as not to miss the European and Greek summer," Vice-President of the European Commission Margaritis Schinas said on Sunday to the Athens-Macedonian News (ANA), concluding his four-day visit to Greece with focus on "the critical issues of the pandemic and migration."

Schinas stressed the "close cooperation" he had with the Greek authorities on these issues and referred with admiration to Greece's "exemplary effort" in managing the unprecedented challenge of the pandemic, having achieved "a small miracle" which "has been recognized by our partners."

Referring to the new Migration and Asylum Pact, which he presented to the Greek Parliament, he stressed that "it is a unique opportunity for Europe to have a comprehensive and effective migration management framework, with a fair sharing of responsibilities and solidarity between member states."

Regarding the new structures he visited in the islands of the South Aegean and are 100 pct funded by the EU, he underlined that "the rapid decongestion of the islands now gives us the opportunity to prepare new structures based on European standards."