Juncker calls urgent meeting with leaders of Balkan countries and Germany

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has called a meeting for Sunday afternoon in Brussels with leaders of countries along the Balkan refugee route, in order to agree on measures that can be immediately implemented, the European Commission announced on Wednesday, as reported by the Patria news agency.

-Given the urgent situation unfolding in countries along the Western Balkan migrant route, there is a need for greater cooperation, broader consultations, and urgent operational action.

Following discussions with several leaders, European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has called a meeting for October 25 to discuss the influx of refugees along the Western Balkan route, according to a statement released by the Commission on Wednesday.

According to the statement, the meeting will be attended by heads of state or government of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Serbia, and Slovenia. Also invited to the meeting are the President of the European Council and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, as well as representatives of the European border agency (Frontex) and the European Asylum Support Office (EASO).

The meeting begins on Sunday at 4:00 PM, and at 7:00 PM the discussion will continue during a working dinner at the headquarters of the European Commission. 

-The goal of the meeting is to agree on joint operational conclusions that can be implemented immediately, the statement says.