This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-35657054

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Migrant crisis: EU ministers meet amid rising tension Migrant crisis: EU meeting seeks to heal growing rifts
(about 4 hours later)
EU ministers meet in Brussels later amid warnings the migrant crisis could threaten the bloc's survival. Ministers from EU and Balkan nations are meeting in Brussels to try to heal divisions over a migrant crisis that could threaten the bloc's survival.
Austria and Balkan nations have agreed measures to restrict numbers, drawing criticism from Greece, where thousands have been left stranded after Macedonia blocked entry to Afghans. Austria, Serbia and Macedonia have taken steps to restrict entry to migrants, angering Greece, which fears the controls will cause a bottleneck.
Meanwhile Hungary has announced a referendum on whether to accept mandatory quotas of migrants. The rift places further strain on a common EU migration policy, already in disarray over the surge in migration.
More than 100,000 migrants have reached Europe so far this year. More than 100,000 migrants have reached Europe this year, most via the Balkans.
In Brussels, EU interior ministers will hear plans drawn up by Austria and eight Balkan countries that include fingerprinting all entrants and turning back anyone without a passport or holding fake documents. European Council president Donald Tusk has warned that the failure to make progress towards resolving the crisis could increase the likelihood of the UK voting to leave the EU this year.
The countries have also pledged to accept only those they deem to be in need of protection, which has already been interpreted by some governments as meaning only Syrians and Iraqis. The EU interior ministers meeting in Brussels will hear plans drawn up by Austria and eight Balkan countries that seek to restrict the numbers entering their borders.
Relocation deal explainedRelocation deal explained
Hungary proposes its own dealHungary proposes its own deal
Why central Europe says 'No'Why central Europe says 'No'
EU migration: Crisis in graphicsEU migration: Crisis in graphics
The measures include fingerprinting all entrants and turning back anyone without a passport or holding fake documents.
The countries have also pledged to accept only those they deem to be in need of protection, which has already been interpreted by some governments as meaning only Syrians and Iraqis.
Macedonia enacted the measures at its border with Greece over the weekend, barring entry to Afghans, who make up many of the migrants.
Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner described the measures as a "chain reaction of reason" and warned that the crisis could threaten the EU's survival if it was not brought under control.Austrian Interior Minister Johanna Mikl-Leitner described the measures as a "chain reaction of reason" and warned that the crisis could threaten the EU's survival if it was not brought under control.
But the plans drew sharp criticism from Greece, which threatened to block all decisions at an upcoming EU migration summit if member states did not agree to take in quotas of migrants.But the plans drew sharp criticism from Greece, which threatened to block all decisions at an upcoming EU migration summit if member states did not agree to take in quotas of migrants.
Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said his country was turning into a "permanent warehouse of souls" and should not be left to deal with the crisis alone.Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras said his country was turning into a "permanent warehouse of souls" and should not be left to deal with the crisis alone.
"From now on, Greece will not agree to deals if we do not secure the mandatory sharing of the burden and responsibility proportionally among member states," Mr Tsipras said."From now on, Greece will not agree to deals if we do not secure the mandatory sharing of the burden and responsibility proportionally among member states," Mr Tsipras said.
Analysis - BBC Europe Correspondent Chris MorrisAnalysis - BBC Europe Correspondent Chris Morris
The air is thick with recrimination as ministers meet to try to save a common migration policy that is threatening to collapse in disarray. The situation is bad, said one senior diplomat, and getting worse.The air is thick with recrimination as ministers meet to try to save a common migration policy that is threatening to collapse in disarray. The situation is bad, said one senior diplomat, and getting worse.
So another critical phase is approaching. And the European Council President Donald Tusk has warned that failure to make progress towards resolving the migration crisis could make it much more likely that the UK will vote to leave the EU. A number of countries have followed Austria's example in imposing unilateral border measures to try to restrict the flow of migrants and refugees seeking asylum. Other countries want to shift the focus back onto common solutions, such as sharing the burden of hosting arriving refugees more widely.
The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has also criticised the measures. "The response is not closures, it is co-operation," said the agency's head, Filippo Grandi. "Everybody has to take a share of this burden."
An official from the current Dutch presidency of the EU told the AFP news agency that the purpose of Thursday's meetings would be "to allow us to avoid surprises - we have to avoid that one country is surprised by the measures taken by another."
In separate developments:
Last September, EU ministers agreed plans to relocate 120,000 migrants from Italy, Greece and Hungary to other EU countries.Last September, EU ministers agreed plans to relocate 120,000 migrants from Italy, Greece and Hungary to other EU countries.
But the majority vote decision was opposed by Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.But the majority vote decision was opposed by Romania, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary.
On Wednesday Hungary announced it would hold a referendum on accepting mandatory EU migrant quotas.On Wednesday Hungary announced it would hold a referendum on accepting mandatory EU migrant quotas.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stressed that the quotas "could redraw Europe's cultural and religious identity".Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban stressed that the quotas "could redraw Europe's cultural and religious identity".
The referendum is expected to be held in the autumn, subject to parliamentary approval.The referendum is expected to be held in the autumn, subject to parliamentary approval.
In separate developments:
More than 100,000 migrants have arrived in Greece and Italy so far this year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.More than 100,000 migrants have arrived in Greece and Italy so far this year, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said.
More than 400 migrants died attempting to make the journey during the same period, the IOM said.More than 400 migrants died attempting to make the journey during the same period, the IOM said.
A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.A note on terminology: The BBC uses the term migrant to refer to all people on the move who have yet to complete the legal process of claiming asylum. This group includes people fleeing war-torn countries such as Syria, who are likely to be granted refugee status, as well as people who are seeking jobs and better lives, who governments are likely to rule are economic migrants.