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European Commission calls for acceleration of relocation of asylum seekers

Xinhua, February 11, 2016 Adjust font size:

The European Commission here on Wednesday made a report on the implementation of the priority actions under the European Agenda for Migration, calling on member states to implement the relocation of asylum seekers.

The report, which was made in view of next week's European Council summit, highlighted key areas where immediate action was needed to restore control.

According to the communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the European Council, which was also released on Wednesday,as of Feb. 8, only 218 people have been relocated from Greece, and 279 from Italy, while five member states had not yet made any places available for relocation.

"Member states should deliver on their commitments through an accelerated implementation of the relocation decisions," said the communication.

The European Union (EU) is now in a position to relocate a total of 160,000 people in clear need of international protection in the years of 2016 and 2017. The commission and the EU agencies will organize together with the member states the necessary coordination to implement the mechanism on the ground.

The commission on Wednesday also adopted a Recommendation addressed to Greece on the urgent measures to be taken in view of the possible resumption of some transfers under the Dublin Regulation, which is EU law that means migrants must claim asylum in the country they arrive in.

The Recommendation set out the concrete steps that must be taken to bring Greece back into the Dublin system, focusing on enhancing reception capacity and living conditions for asylum seekers in Greece and allowing effective access to the asylum procedure, including appeals, by ensuring that the relevant institutions are fully operational, adequately staffed and equipped to examine more applications.

The reports and documents rolled out Wednesday will be discussed by EU leaders in Brussels on Feb. 18 at the European Council summit. Endit