(VOVworld) - Turkey and Greece called on Europe on Wednesday to help shoulder the burden of the migration crisis as thousands of Syrian refugees enter the European Union through both countries.

"This is not a problem of merely Turkey and Greece. Europe should take responsibility," the Greek premier said. (Photo: famagusta-gazette.com)

Turkey and Greece are not responsible for the migration crisis, but suffering from the refugee influx, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutouglu told a joint press conference with his visiting Greek counterpart Alexis Tsipras.

He said it was not merely a problem for Turkey and Greece but for all of Europe.

He also stressed that Ankara and Athens must step up cooperation in the fight against smugglers who transport migrants to Europe.

Tsipras is paying a two-day business visit to Turkey, which is focused on tackling the flow of Syrian refugees entering Greece from Turkish territory through the Aegean Sea.

Davutoglu said Turkey and Greece have decided to establish bilateral mechanisms to tackle the issue.

Also that day, Spain’s coast guard forces rescued 22 Moroccan migrants who were trying to cross the sea into Spain’s Canary Island after their boat sank. Twenty four others remain missing.