Brussels bigwig hints at legal action against countries failing to take in migrants
THE Vice-President of the EU Commission hinted at taking legal action against countries failing to take in migrants.
Juncker: Europe in bad shape with the migrant crisis
Frans Timmermans told a press conference member nations have failed to take in 160,000 migrants since 2015.
So far only 12,000 people have been relocated across Europe, with three states failing to take in a single person.
The 160,000 figure was agreed upon in September 2015 to relieve tension on the borders of Greece and Italy.
Frans Timmermans hinted at legal action against countries failing to meet migrant quotas
The Commission is preparing a damning report this March, that will name Poland, Hungary, and Austria for not taking in any migrants.
Mr Timmermans stated this will be the right moment to consider other viable options if necessary.
He warned: "I encourage all member nations to make progress, before we publish our tenth report.
The EU agreed in 2015 to take in 160,000 migrants from the Greek and Italian border
Those countries that think they can show solidarity, doing nothing about the issue, are mistaken
The vice-president said the EU could undertake legal proceedings against the countries, but suggested this would not be beneficial for the good of the migrants.
He added all EU states need to put more pressure on those that are falling behind.
Some 60,000 migrants are said to be currently residing on the Greek isles, and the EU Commission appealed for a faster relocation of the people, due to their poor living conditions.
The EU Commission chief spoke of a report prepared this March to address the issue
"If member countries are worried about the state of the refugees in Greece, then they should be doing more towards their relocation" said Mr Timmermans.
He underlined all countries have a duty to take in monthly quota of people, some 2,000 a month out of Greece and a further 1,000 out of Italy.
He said: "Solidarity and the equal share of burden, are key to a successful migration policy."
Poland, Austria, and Hungary have failed to take in any migrants from the agreed quota
"Those who think they can run a successful policy by strengthening their border controls, cooperating with the refugees country of origin, or only through fighting human trafficking, are mistaken."
"Those countries that think they can show solidarity, doing nothing about the issue, are mistaken."