EU member states considered that the main gateway for the million refugees and migrants who entered Europe last year was Greece.
On Friday, EU member states gave Greece a three-month ultimatum to control the influx of migrants or the country may face suspension from the Schengen passport-free zone.
According to several western media, the decision taken by ministers over Greek objections concludes weeks of pressure on Greece, which EU member states considered the main gateway for the million refugees and migrants who entered Europe last year.
The European Commission already accused Greece for failing to properly register and fingerprint migrants during inspections at the Turkish land border and several islands in the Aegean.
“It is of utmost importance that Greece addresses the issues identified in the report adopted by the Commission as a matter of priority and urgency,” EU ministers said in an adopted recommendation on Friday.