EU Commission President Jean Claude Juncker stressed that 95 percent of migrants registered in the relocation programs had been transferred from Italy and Greece. The mechanism, he said, was working.
European Commission President Jean Claude Juncker told a plenary session of Parliament in Strasbourg on Tuesday that relocations are working. "Over 95 percent of people registered in Greece and Italy have been relocated'' to other European countries. Juncker added that unaccompanied minors need urgent help.
'More work to be done'
The EU Commission president said the European Council in December represented an opportunity for the heads of state and government to have an open discussion on migration and progress made so far, proving that Europe can take responsibility with fast decisions and show solidarity. He added that more work needs to be done and that Europe's comprehensive approach is a solution to this common challenge. The council did not talk about the past but tried to strengthen a European approach for the future, he said, discussing the need for all members states to show solidarity and responsibility.
Juncker noted that he welcomed such progress with favor especially from the four Videgrad countries - the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia - that provided additional funding to an EU trust fund for Africa.
11,464 reallocated from Italy
According to data by the Italian interior ministry, 11,464 migrants had been relocated from Italy as of the end of 2017. This number includes 1,083 minors. Most were relocated to Germany, which welcomed 4,894 people, followed by Sweden with 1,214, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Norway and Finland. Most of the migrants hailed from Eritrea - a total of 10,845 people - followed by Syria with 521.