The side to the Greek crisis that no one's talking about

While attention on Greece remains fixed on Alexis Tsipras’ negotiations with the Troika, there is another crisis which most people aren't talking about.

The UN Refugee Agency warned on 10 July that Greece was facing an "unprecedented refugee emergency".

On average, 1,000 people a day (and rising) are arriving in Greek islands and since the beginning of the year, 77,100 people have arrived by sea to Greece.

EU leaders agreed “in principle” to relocate 40,000 asylum seekers from Italy and Greece, at a European Council meeting on June 25.

Now the UN has called on Europe to do more in the midst of the refugee crisis, saying:

This situation requires a collective and far-reaching response based on the principles of humanity, access to protection, and genuine solidarity and responsibility sharing, both within the EU but also with countries outside the EU. Europe should live up to its traditions in this regard.

These proposals – even if modest compared with the needs – are important first steps towards such a comprehensive approach. As needs continue to grow, these measures must be expanded.

More than 150,000 people have crossed into Europe so far this year seeking refuge, representing a 149 per cent increase from 2014.

The UK has opted out of the EU scheme to assist Greece using one of its exemptions as agreed in the EU Lisbon treaty.

It represents the latest decision the UK government has taken to shut out foreign nationals, in line with unsympathetic public opinion.

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