EU to hold emergency meeting on refugee issue

Brussels, Sep 16: European Union (EU) interior ministers will hold an emergency meeting on September 22 to cope with refugee crisis, officials said.

Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Minister for Immigration and Asylum and President of the Council, on Tuesday said the meeting will focus on the refugee redistribution plan among EU member states, reported Xinhua news agency.

Interior ministers on Monday agreed on an initial plan to relocate 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece, but failed to reach consensus on other important topics.

Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU said the meeting intends to provide the follow-up of the meeting of Monday.

On this occasion, the Presidency wants the ministers to adopt a decision on a provisional mechanism for the relocation of 120,000 persons in need of international protection from member states exposed to massive migratory flows.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker last week called for relocating more 120,000 migrants under a compulsory scheme, bringing the total proposed number up to 160,000.

Massive influx of migrants are entering Europe in recent weeks, in search of refugee in European countries.

Juncker, together with leaders of Germany and France have been pressing reluctant member states to support Commission proposals.