Juncker demands ‘compulsory’ relocation of 120,000 refugees

Jean-Claude Juncker, the president of the European Commission, has said 120,000 refugees and migrants from Italy, Greece and Hungary must be relocated to other countries in Europe.

Mr Juncker said that that the relocation of these people, many of whom have fled war zones in Syria, Iraq and Eritrea, should be “compulsory”.

In a speech to the European Parliament in Strasbourg Mr Juncker called for solidarity from the EU’s 28 member states in supporting those countries on the outer borders of the EU which are forced to deal with a disproportionate number of arrivals.

An Italian MEP heckled Mr Juncker whilst wearing a mask of Angela Merkel

He told MEPs: “It is not time to take fright, it is time for humanity and human dignity.”

Earlier this week David Cameron said Britain would accept 20,000 vulnerable refugees by 2020. However he said that because Britain is not part of the European Union’s borderless Schengen area, the UK government could “decide its own approach” on accepting refugees plans.

Mr Juncker said: “To me it is clear that the member states where most refugees first arrived – and at the moment these are Italy, Greece and Hungary – cannot be left alone to cope with this enormous challenge.

“This is why the Commission proposed an emergency mechanism back in May to relocate initially 40,000 people seeking international protection from Italy and Greece.

And this is why today we are proposing a second emergency mechanism to relocate a further 120,000 people from Italy, Greece and Hungary.

“This has to be done in a compulsory way.”

Jean Claude Juncker said 120,000 futher refugees must be relocated across Britain

“We are fighting against Islamic State,” he said. “Why are we not ready to accept those who are fleeing the Islamic State? We have to accept these people on European territory.”

During the speech Mr Juncker was heckled by Nigel Farage, the leader of Ukip and an Italian MEP, a member of the Italian Liga Nord MEP who approached him during the speech wearing a Angela Merkel mask.