The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council meeting closed with a clear vote: 120,000 asylum-seekers, most of whom are currently in Italy and Greece, are to be relocated to other EU member states. The decision was not unanimous but a clear majority voted in favour.
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The burden of the countries most seriously affected by the influx of refugees can now be eased. Emergency relocation activities are to relocate 120,000 refugees to other EU member states.
The home affairs ministers agreed that 54,000 of the 120,000 refugees may come from countries other than Greece and Italy, if these countries submit the appropriate application. Germany too has the option to apply to have refugees relocated to other EU member states.
Member states are each to take in a certain percentage of asylum-seekers. Germany will take in slightly over 30,000 of the 120,000 asylum-seekers, announced Federal Interior Minister Thomas de Maizière after the meeting. At the same time Germany can also apply to have refugees relocated.
The decision was not unanimous. Several member states voted against the compromise although the aim had been to achieve a unanimous decision. A qualified majority was enough for the Council decision.
The European Commission based its proposal for the relocation of 120,000 refugees on the existence of an emergency situation as provided for in Article 78 (3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Under the provisions of this Article, the Council of the EU (i.e. the member states) can vote with a qualified majority. A qualified majority means that at least 55 per cent of the member states, representing a minimum of 65 per cent of the population of the EU must vote in favour of a motion if it is to be passed.
After the meeting, in a joint statement with his French counterpart Bernard Cazeneuve, the Federal Interior Minister stressed that Germany will take in the agreed percentage of the 120,000 refugees. "We do this out of a sense of solidarity and responsibility, but also because it is in our own best interests." In an emergency, Germany too can apply to have refugees relocated. This would "further ease the burden".
What has now been decided is "an important building brick, but no more than that", stated Thomas de Maizière. "Fundamental solutions" are called for, i.e. assistance for the countries with refugee camps, the return of individuals not in need of protection and avoiding secondary migration. Thomas de Maizière declared, "We accept our humanitarian responsibility, but Europe’s capacity to accept migrants does have its limits."
Parallel to the meeting of EU home affairs ministers, European Council President Donald Tusk called an extraordinary informal meeting of the heads of state or government for tomorrow (Wednesday) to discuss the overall concept to address the crisis. The focus is to be on cooperation with the western Balkan states, Turkey and Syria’s neighbours, as well as financial assistance for the UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) and the World Food Programme.