Serious divisions in EU over quota proposal

EVERY country within the EU could be forced to accept a quota of refugees under highly controversial plans to be unveiled by Brussels this week.

Britain said it would refuse to accept the proposal by the European Commission to share the refugees and asylum seekers – who have arrived in their thou- sands in southern Italy in recent months – among the EU’s 28 member states.

The plan, driven by Jean-Claude Juncker, head of the European Commission, was practically seen as a declaration of war, one senior EU official said.

According to the draft, seen by Italian media ahead of its unveiling tomorrow, “the EU needs a permanent system for sharing the responsibility for large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers among member states”.

It is thought Juncker will propose a quota of 20 000 refugees distributed evenly across the EU according to the country’s population, GDP and unemployment level, as well as its track record as a host for asylum seekers.

The proposals are likely to create deep divisions across the EU and will face stiff opposition from governments who want the system to be voluntary.

“Juncker wants a required quota of refugees, but this is practically seen as a declaration of war by certain member states,” a top European official said.

UK Home Secretary Theresa May said last week any decisions [on asylum] should be on a voluntary basis. “Many will have paid organised crime groups to get them through [the Mediterranean],” she said.

“If we are really going to stop the people putting their lives in danger by crossing the Med, we need to stop them starting their journey in the first place.”

The plan will need approval from all 28 EU governments before it can be implemented.