A fair distribution of the burden of illegal migration flows in Europe will be one of the main priorities and common goals of the Greek and Italian EU Presidencies during the first and second half of 2014 respectively, Greek Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Evangelos Venizelos stressed in a press conference in Athens on Tuesday.

"We need a new understanding of what we call European solidarity... We need a new framework. We need more funds... We need new initiatives," Venizelos said, expressing disappointment at the results of the current EU policies and mechanisms.

As Greece and the European South struggle to cope with a severe financial crisis and increasing illegal migration flows, the topic will be high on the agenda of the upcoming European Council later this week.

In the light of the tragedy in Lampedusa a few days ago, when hundreds of undocumented migrants seeking to enter the EU drowned off the Italian coast, and dozens of similar smaller tragedies across the region recently, Greece, Italy and other EU member-states of the Mediterranean are joining forces.

During visits to Italy and Malta this week, Greek Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and his peers called for a new comprehensive European plan to deal with the problem, and share the economic and social burdens of illegal immigration proportionately across the EU.

As a geographical gateway to Europe, Greece faces the pressure of illegal migration flows of more than 100,000 persons per year, according to official estimates.

Just shortly before Venizelos held the press briefing at the Foreign Affairs Ministry in Athens, off the southern coast of the Peloponnese peninsula, the Greek Coast Guard intercepted a vessel with 105 undocumented migrants from Syria and Afghanistan on board.

According to Greek Coast Guard sources, the British-flagged boat was heading to Italy from Turkey.