Germany Says Ready to Assist Greece With Tackling Migrant Arrivals

Migrants sit outside the official refugee camp of Moria on the Greek island of Lesbos, on August 30, 2019. - More than 500 migrants arrived overnight on the Greek island of Lesbos, authorities and NGOs said on August 30, as Greece complained that the number of new arrivals is surging. (Photo by Anthi PAZIANOU / AFP)

The German government said it is closely watching as the number of migrants reaching the Greek islands has increased.

Government spokeswoman Martina Fietz said the rise in migrants coming to the islands by sea "needs to be taken seriously."

She also stressed Friday that the latest arrival numbers are significantly lower than during the 2015-2016 surge in mass migration to Europe, the Associated Press reported.

Germany took in the biggest share of migrants from that influx.

The flow to Greece dropped when the European Union reached a deal with Turkey to prevent sea crossings.

Fietz noted that Germany stands ready to assist Greece now through the European Union and bilaterally.

Workers at an overcrowded migrant camp on the island of Lesbos were attacked by young migrants Wednesday demanding transfers to the mainland.