EU sues member states over migrant quotas

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Europe

The European Commission announced Thursday it was suing three of its member states for refusing to take in any migrants in defiance of EU quotas.

“The European Commission has today decided to refer the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to the Court of Justice of the EU for non-compliance with their legal obligations on relocation,” it said in a statement.

The EU introduced a so-called relocation scheme in 2015 after over a million migrants – many from Syria, Afghanistan and Iraq – streamed into the continent, mostly heading for Germany.

Banners read "No deportation to Afghanistan" and "Fleeing is not a crime" at a protest at Fraport airport in Frankfurt, Germany, December 6, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The plan called for the EU to take in a total 160,000 migrants, to be distributed among the bloc’s 28 members.

Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and the Czech Republic voted against the deal, but EU courts have ruled that the relocation plan applies to all member states.

EU infringement procedures were launched against Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland in June but the Commission said Thursday their replies were “not satisfactory” and the three countries “have given no indication that they will contribute to the implementation of the relocation decision.”

“This is why, the Commission has decided to move to the next stage of the infringement procedure and refer the three Member States to the Court of Justice of the EU.”

Migrants, intercepted aboard a dinghy off the coast in the Mediterranean Sea, rest after arriving on a rescue boat at the Port of Malaga, Spain, December 7, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The three countries argue they are not suited to accommodate mostly Muslim migrants and have cited concerns over Islamist militants following recent terror attacks in Europe.

Hungary and Poland have yet to take in a single asylum seeker under the EU's relocation plan, while the Czech Republic has done nothing since August 2016, according to the Commission.

“All other Member States have relocated and pledged (allocations) in the past months,” it said.

Poland quickly hit back after the announcement.

"Poland is ready to defend its position in the Court," Deputy Foreign Minister Konrad Szymanski told state news agency PAP. "No one will lift the duty of providing public safety from the Polish government."

There was no reaction yet from Hungary or the Czech Republic.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban attends the ruling Fidesz party congress in Budapest, Hungary, November 12, 2017. /Reuters Photo

The number of migrants arriving in Europe has fallen sharply since the crisis hit its height in 2015, and following an EU deal with Turkey.

Rickety boats arriving from across the Mediterranean with people hoping to make a new life in Europe, however, continue to arrive in Italy every week.

(With input from agencies)