The European Commission expressed its satisfaction for the decision of the 28 Interior Ministers of EU to relocate 120,000 refugees within the next two years.

“Today, European Home Affairs Ministers have taken an important decision to relocate 120,000 refugees from Greece, Italy and other Member States directly affected by the refugee crisis, less than 3 weeks after the Commission came forward with its proposal. The Commission welcomes the efforts undertaken by all Member States to reach this result, and salutes in particular the tireless work of the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council,” the Commission said in a statement.

“Following this decision, the EU is now in a position to relocate a total of 160,000 people in clear need of international protection in the coming two years. The Commission and the EU agencies will organise together with the Member States the necessary coordination to implement the mechanism on the ground,” it added.

Moreover, the Commission said that the root causes of the refugee crisis should be addressed, therefore summit meeting will be held on Wednesday so as EU would discuss the immediate priority actions which are necessary to address the instability in our vicinity, and the refugee pressures on neighbouring countries.