Non-resettling EU states to face legal challenge

By Mehmet Yilmaz

BUDAPEST, Hungary

The EU will launch legal action against member states that have failed to relocate any refugees, the EU Commission announced Tuesday.

EU Commissioner of Migration and Home Affairs Dimitris Avramopoulos said that to date the EU as a whole has relocated more than 18,000 refugees.

Speaking to the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France, he said, “It is entirely feasible to relocate all eligible people from Greece and Italy before September. But that requires member states to step up the pace, and not reduce their efforts.”

On the member states that have not relocated anyone so far, Avramopoulos urged them to take steps towards this end, saying, “If no action is taken by them before the next report in June, the commission will not hesitate to make use of its powers under the treaties and to open infringement procedures.”

The commission cited Hungary, Poland, and Austria as member states that have not relocated anyone to date.