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Migrant crisis: EU ministers attempt to resolve quota row Migrant crisis: EU ministers attempt to resolve quota row
(35 minutes later)
European Union ministers are meeting to try to resolve a dispute over how to relocate 120,000 asylum seekers who have recently arrived in Europe.European Union ministers are meeting to try to resolve a dispute over how to relocate 120,000 asylum seekers who have recently arrived in Europe.
Some central European states have resisted calls for EU members to accept mandatory quotas.Some central European states have resisted calls for EU members to accept mandatory quotas.
Whatever is decided, the UN says the EU's plans will not be enough.Whatever is decided, the UN says the EU's plans will not be enough.
The migrants are part of 500,000 to have arrived by sea this year so far. Germany says it expects at least 800,000 this year.The migrants are part of 500,000 to have arrived by sea this year so far. Germany says it expects at least 800,000 this year.
Follow the latest updates on our live pageFollow the latest updates on our live page
The arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants has created deep EU divisions.The arrival of hundreds of thousands of migrants has created deep EU divisions.
Home affairs ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday are hoping to reach agreement which would be ratified by EU leaders on Wednesday.Home affairs ministers meeting in Brussels on Tuesday are hoping to reach agreement which would be ratified by EU leaders on Wednesday.
Who are the 120,000?Who are the 120,000?
Source: European CommissionSource: European Commission
Relocation deal explainedRelocation deal explained
Hungary proposes its own deal
Why central Europe says 'No'Why central Europe says 'No'
What is the next route through Europe?
How is migrant crisis dividing EU countries?How is migrant crisis dividing EU countries?
EU migration: Crisis in graphicsEU migration: Crisis in graphics
Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic all oppose the idea of obligatory quotas, promoted by Germany which has accepted large numbers of migrants.Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic all oppose the idea of obligatory quotas, promoted by Germany which has accepted large numbers of migrants.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said two weeks ago that obligatory quotas were "a first step" towards a more permanent scheme to deal with the influx.German Chancellor Angela Merkel said two weeks ago that obligatory quotas were "a first step" towards a more permanent scheme to deal with the influx.
But mandatory quotas have now been dropped, diplomats say, and a voluntary relocation scheme is now on the table.But mandatory quotas have now been dropped, diplomats say, and a voluntary relocation scheme is now on the table.
At the scene: Matthew Price, BBC News, Lesbos At the scene: Bethany Bell, BBC News, Nickelsdorf on Austria-Hungary border
There is a man here on the edge of Europe. With his wife and little girls and faltering English. Refugees and migrants have been walking over the border from Hungary. The young men come first, waving and asking: "Is this Austria?"
"I am happy now," he told me. "My life is over, but this is for my children." There are cheers when they are told where they are.
They arrived two hours ago. On a small boat. From Turkey. The little girl, six, with her pink roll-neck jumper keeping her warm. Dad's hands still held in them the cold of a journey across the sea. The baby on his mother's shoulders coughed a chesty cough. The families follow, a father holding the hands of his two young children, a mother carrying her baby, then a man pushing a boy in a wheelchair.
"We left Damascus at half past eight in the morning on Friday," said the father. It was almost exactly four days later. Four days to change their lives. Four days from Middle East war zone to Greek holiday island. Many are from Syria - others say they are from Afghanistan, Iraq and Pakistan. Some walk to the reception centre where the Red Cross has food and clothes for them. But others go straight to the queues for the buses which will carry them away from the border.
Some apply for asylum in Austria but most say they want to go on to Germany.
Follow BBC producers and correspondents covering the migrants' journey on TwitterFollow BBC producers and correspondents covering the migrants' journey on Twitter
Most of those arriving in the European Union are from war-torn Syria, the European Commission says.Most of those arriving in the European Union are from war-torn Syria, the European Commission says.
The relocation scheme would prioritise migrants recognised as "in need of international protection" - those from Syria, Eritrea and Iraq, according to EU data.The relocation scheme would prioritise migrants recognised as "in need of international protection" - those from Syria, Eritrea and Iraq, according to EU data.
The 120,000 would be transferred from Hungary, Greece and Italy - the states where most migrants have been entering the European Union.The 120,000 would be transferred from Hungary, Greece and Italy - the states where most migrants have been entering the European Union.
The UK, under an opt-out, would not be part of the relocation scheme but has already agreed to take 20,000 migrants directly from countries bordering Syria over the next five years.The UK, under an opt-out, would not be part of the relocation scheme but has already agreed to take 20,000 migrants directly from countries bordering Syria over the next five years.
The Irish Republic and Denmark, with similar opt-outs, have agreed to take part in the EU scheme.The Irish Republic and Denmark, with similar opt-outs, have agreed to take part in the EU scheme.
The UN Refugee Agency has warned that the relocation scheme will be insufficient given the large numbers arriving in Europe.The UN Refugee Agency has warned that the relocation scheme will be insufficient given the large numbers arriving in Europe.
"A relocation programme alone, at this stage in the crisis, will not be enough to stabilise the situation," spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said."A relocation programme alone, at this stage in the crisis, will not be enough to stabilise the situation," spokeswoman Melissa Fleming said.
The number of those needing to be relocated will probably need to be revised upwards significantly, she said.The number of those needing to be relocated will probably need to be revised upwards significantly, she said.
Newcomers continued arriving in southern Europe on Tuesday in the hope of making their way north to Germany and Scandinavia.Newcomers continued arriving in southern Europe on Tuesday in the hope of making their way north to Germany and Scandinavia.
Hundreds are crossing the Hungarian border into Austria - and about 4,000 are reaching the Greek island of Lesbos every day.Hundreds are crossing the Hungarian border into Austria - and about 4,000 are reaching the Greek island of Lesbos every day.
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.