Dutch minister to EU members: Don't shut borders to migrants

SKOPJE, Macedonia – Dutch foreign minister Bert Koenders has urged EU member states not to close their borders to migrants, suggesting that "effective border control is more important."

Koenders, whose country holds the rotating 6-month EU presidency, told reporters in the Macedonian capital Skopje that the Netherlands will continue to talk with Austria, Macedonia and Greece to find an effective solution on migrants and avoid unilateral measures.

He said he thinks it is still possible to avoid a "domino effect and an uncontrollable situation."

Koenders also pointed out the need for EU countries to take special care for vulnerable groups of migrants, such as women and children.

Koenders was in the border town of Gevgelija Sunday and will cross into Greece. He will meet with Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras later Sunday.