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EC welcomes EP vote on relocation for 120,000 refugees

Xinhua, September 17, 2015 Adjust font size:

The European Commission (EC) on Thursday welcomed the vote of the European Parliament (EP) in favor of an emergency relocation mechanism for a further 120,000 refugees.

Members of European Parliament (MEPs) approved the Commission's proposal to relocate 120,000 refugees from Italy, Greece, and Hungary among member states in an emergency vote Thursday.

The EP took an important step by voting in favor of the plan, the EC said in a statement, adding it welcomed this vote and was particularly grateful to the EP for its fast reaction.

The EC said, "The path is now clear for the Council to adopt our proposal," urging member states to take the necessary decisions at the extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council on Sept. 22.

"If the Council agrees on the Commission proposals on Tuesday, the Commission stands ready to work with Member States and the relevant European agencies to relocate refugees immediately, and reduce the pressure on the most affected Member States," the statement said.

European Union (EU) ministers agreed to relocate 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece at the last Justice and Home Affairs Council on Monday. Endit