The EU have agreed a plan to shelter 120,000 refugees across the EU
MEPs have backed a plan to distribute 120,000 refugees across the EU.
The move, which was discussed by EU Justice Ministers on Monday, is aimed at relieving pressure on Greece, Italy and Hungary.
It comes as riot police on the border of Croatia have been overwhelmed by thousands of refugees trying to get into the country.
Croatia says it can't take in any more, but that hasn't stopped refugees streaming across the border from Serbia.
European Council president Donald Tusk has convened an emergency meeting of EU leaders which will be held next Wednesday, a day after justice ministers meet to discuss new plans for dealing with the crisis.
The UN secretary-general Ban Ki-Moon has also criticised Hungary's refusal to receive refugees fleeing from Syria
“I was shocked to see how these refugees and migrants were treated. It is not acceptable. Since they are the people who are fleeing the wars and prosecutions then we must ensure our compassionate leadership.”
Today riot police on the border of Croatia have been overwhelmed by thousands of refugees trying to get into the country.
Fine Gael MEP Sean Kelly says every European country must play their part
“There is an onus on all of us to play our part because the majority of European citizens are generous people who feel very much for the refugees. I think there is an onus on all the member states to play their part as generously as possible.”
7,000 people have entered Croatia in just one day, with officials saying they just can't take in any more.
This man managed to get in at the border crossing in Batina he explains where he's headed.
“We are going to Germany or maybe Sweden and we want better life, want to live peacefully and we want security because we were threatened in our countries,” he said.
Fine Gael Dublin MEP, Brian Hayes, says other measures included in the proposals include additional resources to assist member states in processing applications and returning economic migrants:
“What it really does is send a strong message to the council, which is made up of the governments of the 28 states, to get on with the task of agreeing and finding a quota which will allow refugees to be settled across the European Union.
“I think what the European Parliament have done in this emergency resolution passed today is to send out a strong signal of solidarity with those refugees, a strong signal of humanity on behalf of the people of Europe,” Mr Hayes said.
