The EU Justice and Home Affairs Council formally adopted the decision to relocate 40,000 people in need of international protection over two years from Italy and Greece to other Member States.
- Ireland has agreed to relocate 600 people from Italy and Greece under this phase.
Relocation of an additional 120,000 persons in need of international protection was agreed in principle by the Council [1]. The Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the European Union hopes that a decision on a provisional mechanism for the relocation of additional persons will be adopted at the Extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council scheduled for 22 September 2015.
Next Steps:
22 September 2015: Extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council as a follow up of the meeting of 14 September.
8-9 October 2015: Justice and Home Affairs Ministers are scheduled to meet in Luxembourg.
For further information:
- See Presidency conclusions following the Justice and Home Affairs Council of 14 September 2015.
- View Outcome of Justice and Home Affairs Council Meeting of 14 September 2015.
- See press release on Relocation of 40,000 refugees from Greece and Italy agreed by Council.
- Read Statement by Minister Fitzgerald on the Migration Crisis Following an Emergency Meeting of Justice and Home Affairs Ministers.
- Statement by the European Commission following the Extraordinary Justice and Home Affairs Council.
[1] Without prejudice to the specific situation of the United Kingdom, Ireland and Denmark pursuant to Protocols 21 and 22 to the Treaties. The UK will not participate.
