Germany, Austria call for common EU approach to refugee crisis

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and her Austrian counterpart, Werner Faymann, on Thursday called for a common European Union (EU) answer to the ongoing refugee crisis.

The appeal was made at a summit in Vienna between the EU and six Western Balkan states, an event somewhat overshadowed by Europe's migration crisis.

Merkel criticised some EU members that are reluctant to accept asylum seekers. "The world is watching. Austria, Germany and many others are ready, and we will discuss the issue with vigor," she said.

The German leader has continuously urged a fair distribution of the burden among EU countries.

Merkel also called for faster processing of applications of new arrivals from Syria and other war-torn zones, who have a higher likelihood of successful asylum claim.

For his part, Faymann reiterated his support for a "fair distribution via mandatory quota" for refugees, arguing that some countries are bearing a heavy burden while others "barely take in anyone."

Countries that bear the brunt like Greece and Italy also have been urging other EU members to take a bigger share.

In May, the EU planned to distribute some 40,000 migrants among 23 member states, but the call was rejected by some countries behind the front line.

Europe has been inflicted by a massive influx of refugees from the Middle East, the biggest migration crisis in Europe since World War II. Endi