Austrian Minister of the Interior Johanna Mikl-Leitner on Monday sharply criticized border protection measures being carried out by the Greek coast guard.

The comments were provided to the Austria Press Agency by an interior ministry spokesperson, and were made in light of a visit here by Greek alternate Minister for European Affairs Nikos Xydakis.

Mikl-Leitner said she wanted to know why Greek leadership did not use its deployment-ready naval fleet for civilian purposes, in this instance to control the outer EU borders.

Greece was using too few ships, she said.

The focus was now on "what the Greek government is planning to do to bring our joint EU outer border under control," Mikl-Leitner noted.

Greece would naturally have EU support for its efforts, she added.

The minister said talks were ongoing with countries along the Balkans migrant route, in order to increase pressure on the countries further south.

Austria is also preparing to strengthen security on its own southern border if need be, Mikl-Leitner said.