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Migrant crisis: EU quota plan criticised as 'drop in ocean' Migrant crisis: EU quota plan criticised as 'drop in ocean'
(about 2 hours later)
EU plans for member states to accept 160,000 new asylum seekers represent a "drop in the ocean" in the scale of the crisis, Germany's vice-chancellor says.EU plans for member states to accept 160,000 new asylum seekers represent a "drop in the ocean" in the scale of the crisis, Germany's vice-chancellor says.
Sigmar Gabriel said 450,000 people had arrived in Germany so far this year, with 37,000 in the first eight days of September.Sigmar Gabriel said 450,000 people had arrived in Germany so far this year, with 37,000 in the first eight days of September.
Tens of thousands, mainly Syrians, have pushed north in recent weeks.Tens of thousands, mainly Syrians, have pushed north in recent weeks.
Serbian TV says a record 5,000 migrants have arrived at the border with Hungary in the past 24 hours.Serbian TV says a record 5,000 migrants have arrived at the border with Hungary in the past 24 hours.
The Hungarian army earlier started military exercises to prepare for a possible future role in guarding the border and stem the flow of people - a move criticised by human rights groups.The Hungarian army earlier started military exercises to prepare for a possible future role in guarding the border and stem the flow of people - a move criticised by human rights groups.
Meanwhile, Austria's government said 5,700 people had crossed over from Hungary in recent hours. National train operator OeBB temporarily suspended services from Hungary because of the increasing numbers and the risks of overcrowding.
'First step''First step'
On Wednesday European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced plans to distribute 120,000 refugees from Greece, Italy and Hungary among member states via binding quotas.On Wednesday European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker announced plans to distribute 120,000 refugees from Greece, Italy and Hungary among member states via binding quotas.
This would be on top of a proposal in May to share 40,000 refugees from just Greece and Italy.This would be on top of a proposal in May to share 40,000 refugees from just Greece and Italy.
Speaking in the German parliament on Thursday, Mr Gabriel described the plans as "a first step, if one wants to be polite".Speaking in the German parliament on Thursday, Mr Gabriel described the plans as "a first step, if one wants to be polite".
"Or you could call it a drop in the ocean," he added."Or you could call it a drop in the ocean," he added.
European press on migrant proposals
Europe migrant crisis: Are you affected?Europe migrant crisis: Are you affected?
BBC correspondents covering the migrant crisis on Twitter Thousands of migrants, many of them fleeing conflicts in countries such as Syria and Libya, continue to make the dangerous journey to Europe's shores across the Mediterranean.
Mr Gabriel said Germany had registered some 450,000 migrants this year, including 105,000 in August and 37,000 from 1-8 September. Another group of 2,500 migrants boarded a ferry hired by the Greek government early on Thursday to transport them from the island of Lesbos to the mainland.
"Everything is lost" - BBC News correspondent Fergal Keane meets migrants on refugee ship
The El Venizelos once carried tourists on the leisure routes of the Aegean and the Mediterranean. That was before the wars in Syria, Libya, Afghanistan sent tens of thousands of people in the direction of Europe.
I am on board the Venizelos with 2,500 refugees. They include many families with young children who crossed from Turkey in rubber boats and spent several days queuing for the ship in the stifling heat.
It was the quiet of the waiting crowds this morning that was most striking. They filed aboard in orderly lines - the sick and the elderly going first - and then lay down wherever they could. Many were asleep within minutes.
As the dawn came up, scattered groups had gathered along the ship's railing. I met an artist from Aleppo, Givara Hesoo, who was heading for Germany with his wife and three children.
"Everything is lost," he said. When I asked him about his family's future he replied: "We cannot talk of a future yet."
Follow Fergal's updates on Twitter
The European parliament backed Mr Juncker's plans on Thursday and they will now have to get the go-ahead from member states.
On Thursday German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited a home for refugees in Berlin. Speaking afterwards she said she hoped newcomers would integrate with the help of their children learning German in school.
Meanwhile, Vice Chancellor Sigmar Gabriel said Germany had registered some 450,000 migrants already this year, including 105,000 in August and 37,000 in the first eight days of September.
Earlier the Irish government announced it would take in 4,000 refugees - a figure that includes 1,120 people Ireland had already agreed to receive.Earlier the Irish government announced it would take in 4,000 refugees - a figure that includes 1,120 people Ireland had already agreed to receive.
The UK, Ireland and Denmark can choose whether to take part in the EU's quota scheme.The UK, Ireland and Denmark can choose whether to take part in the EU's quota scheme.
In other developments on Thursday: The UK government, which is not part of the scheme, has said it will resettle 20,000 Syrian refugees from camps surrounding Syria by 2020.
Many migrants are fleeing conflicts in countries like Syria and Libya and are trying to travel through Hungary to Germany, Austria and Sweden - wealthier EU nations with more liberal asylum laws.
The BBC's Bethany Bell at the Austria-Hungary border reports that hundreds more people have arrived there and that 3,500 had crossed into Austria overnight.
Next steps for EU leaders:
14 Sept: Special meeting of EU interior ministers on refugee crisis, with Juncker proposals on agenda
15-16 Oct: EU leaders' summit, with refugee crisis high on agenda. European Parliament then to decide on any new asylum measures with EU governments
Early 2016: EU proposals for better management of legal migration to EU due
Can the EU overcome rifts?Can the EU overcome rifts?
What next for Germany's asylum seekers?What next for Germany's asylum seekers?
What can the EU do to solve the crisis?What can the EU do to solve the crisis?
Nine key moments in crisisNine key moments in crisis
Many migrants are trying to travel through Hungary to Germany, Austria and Sweden - wealthier EU nations with more liberal asylum laws.
The authorities in Hungary have been told to expect 40,000 more migrants by next week.
BBC correspondents covering the migrant crisis on Twitter
Meanwhile Denmark's police chief says his officers have been ordered to let migrants travel freely through the country without registering if they do not want to seek asylum there.
Denmark suspended all rail links with Germany on Wednesday and temporarily closed a motorway after police stopped hundreds of migrants trying to reach Sweden at the border.
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.