Europe must take in extra 120,000 migrants, says Juncker

Europe must take in an extra 120,000 migrants to deal with the crisis, the President of the European Commission said.

In a speech in Strasbourg, Jean-Claude Juncker said it should be done in a "compulsory way".

"This is not a time to take fright, it is a time for humanity and human dignity," he told MEPs.

Jean-Claude Juncker said he hoped all EU member states would be on board. Credit: Reuters

Britain opted out of a scheme to relocate 40,000 migrants in May but Juncker said: "I really hope everyone will be on board this time."

Thousands of migrants have crossed into Greece, Hungary and Italy. Credit: Reuters

Earlier this week David Cameron said Britain would accept 20,000 vulnerable refugees by 2020.

Juncker called for asylum seekers to be able to work as a "matter of dignity" while they are waiting for their applications to be processed.

The EU will put forward a legal migration system next year in a bid to strengthen Europe's borders, he said.

A list of safe countries will also be drawn up and any migrants coming to Europe from those countries will have to return.

The EU agreed to let 40,000 migrants in earlier this year. Credit: Reuters