EU nations reject bid to introduce migrant quota system

European Union plans to introduce a quota system obliging countries to share the burden of settling refugees unravelled as member nations began rejecting the scheme.

Sat, 09 May, 2015 - 01:00

Lorne Cook

Slovakia and Estonia were among those to publicly object to a quota system, which would require unanimous agreement among the 28 EU nations.

“The Slovak Interior Ministry currently refuses binding quotas on migrants,” it said in a statement.

Estonia said it prefers voluntary relocation and resettlement for refugees.

The European Commission was aiming to propose the plan next Wednesday as part of a strategy to cope with thousands of migrants fleeing conflict for better lives in Europe.

A handful of countries including Germanyand France are struggling under the massive migrant influx and quotas were seen as one way to enforce solidarity on their reluctant EU partners.