Many of the refugees attempt to reach countries such as Italy, Greece or Malta by traveling north on the Mediterranean Sea on overcrowded, dangerous boats off the coast of Libya. Satellite imagery courtesy of Google Maps.
BRUSSELS, June 1 (UPI) -- France and Germany have called for revisions of the European Union's plan to redistribute 40,000 asylum seekers across the bloc, stating there's insufficient "balance."
The French and German interior ministers released a joint statement declaring that "deep discussions are necessary at the European level" to achieve a balance between "responsibility" and "solidarity," adding that recognition for current efforts welcoming asylum-seekers should be recognized.
The ministers also called on Italy and other countries to increase border surveillance efforts amid the immigration crisis.
France and Germany would receive the largest amounts of Syrian and Eritrean refugees under the redistribution plan unveiled Wednesday, about 9,00 to 12,000 respectively.
More than 4,200 refugees were rescued and 17 bodies were recovered this past weekend in 22 different immigration operations off the coast of Libya. Two Tunisians accused of human smuggling were arrested and more than 1,000 refugees have already reached the town of Pozzallo, Italy.
The controversial redistribution proposal introduces immigration quotas for the 28-member economic bloc, and shares the burden of admitting asylum seekers who typically arrive, fleeing persecution and poverty, in Greece, Malta and Italy.
The 40,000 qualifying refugees must have arrived in Europe after any new policy is implemented, meaning those currently detained in Italy and Greece would not qualify. Britain, which has declared no interest in taking in more refugees, is exempt from the program unless it chooses to join, as is Denmark. France, Spain and central and eastern European countries also oppose the quota plan, saying involvement should be voluntary and not mandatory.
The E.U. plan also proposed a voluntary method to settle 20,000 refugees outside of Europe who are being assisted by the United Nations. More than 1,800 refugees have died in the Mediterranean in 2015.
Refugees attempt to reach countries including Italy, Greece and Malta by crossing the Mediterranean Sea in overcrowded, dangerous boats.
Ed Adamczyk contributed to this report.
