EU member states are committed to effectively protecting the external borders of the European Union, interior ministers of 27 EU member states and the ministers of the interior of the states belonging to the Schengen area said in a statement.

The EU will defend its external borders amid reports that four million Syrian refugees are expected to come to the Turkish border areas with Greece in the coming weeks.

The meeting participants resolutely reject Turkey’s use of migration pressure for political purposes, DW reported.

Brussels expects Turkey to fully implement the provisions of the agreement between Ankara and the EU of March 2016 aimed at resolving the migration crisis. The Turkish authorities pledged to receive back all persons who are illegally transported from the Turkish coast to the territory of Greece. This rule applied to both those fleeing the zone of military conflict and economic migrants trying to get to Europe to improve living conditions.

The EU noted they would continue to actively fight against human smuggling. Members of the emergency meeting also welcomed the immediate allocation of EUR 350 million to Greece by the European Commission to resolve the migration crisis and the proposal to provide Athens with an additional EUR 350 million for comprehensive border protection.

EU Interior and Justice Ministers will meet on March 13 to discuss possible EU measures in response to the needs voiced by Greece.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Saturday Ankara’s intention to allow Syrian refugees to enter the EU member states in defiance of agreements with the EU. Accusing the EU of not complying with the refugee agreement, Erdogan noted that Turkey cannot feed so many people.