© Photo/ Emilio MorenattiMigrants and refugees call out to Spanish NGO Proactiva Open Arms workers, after being located out of control sailing on a rubber boat in the Mediterranean Sea, about 18 miles north of Sabratha, Libya
The offer to admit more refugees meets the European Commission's stated goal of letting in at least 50,000 refugees over the next two years in a bid to discourage them from making the risky Mediterranean crossing.
"With over 34,400 new resettlement pledges received so far, I welcome the strong commitment shown by member states to reduce irregular and dangerous routes and enhance safe and legal pathways, showing solidarity with host countries outside the EU," EU migration commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos said.
He also held out hope that Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic will "revise their position and start relocating refugees" who managed to reach Greece and Italy under the existing quota system, warning of legal action if they don't.
Europe is currently looking for ways to tackle a major migrant crisis as thousands of people are traveling across the Mediterranean Sea from conflict-torn countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central and South Asia, to reach European shores.
Many blame this unprecedented exodus on major European powers, saying that their policies have sparked a surge in terrorism and war in conflict-ridden regions, forcing more people to flee their homes and seek asylum abroad.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein has described the plight of migrants detained in Libya as "an outrage to the conscience of humanity."
Comment: The real solution to the immigration problem is not to be found in reshuffling numbers and allocations within the EU, but in solving the conflicts and economic conditions that make life unbearable for people in North Africa and the Middle East. Are European powers regretting already their involvement in the destruction of Gadaffi's Libya and their attempt at toppling Assad in Syria via proxy terrorist groups?
The proof that the flow of immigration can (and should) be reversed is that since 2015, thanks to Russia helping the Syrian Army to liberate and pacify their country, 1.12 million refugees have returned to their homes. We hope Europe will take note of this.