Leaders meet on refugee flows along the Western Balkan route

President Juncker has called for a leader's meeting at the level of Heads of State or Government on refugee flows along the Western Balkan route. The objective is to agree common operational conclusions which could be immediately implemented.

In view of the unfolding emergency in the countries along the Western Balkans migratory route, there is a need for much greater cooperation, more extensive consultation and immediate operational action.

President Juncker said: "Europe today faces the greatest refugee flows it has seen since the Second World War. The countries along the Western Balkans route have been particularly exposed to these pressures."

Following discussions with several leaders, European Commission President Juncker has therefore called a Leaders' Meeting on Sunday 25 October.

Attending the Leaders' Meeting are the Heads of State or Government of Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia. The President of the European Council, the Luxembourg Presidency of the Council of the EU and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees have also been invited to attend this Leaders' Meeting. The European Asylum Support Office (EASO) and the European Agency for the Management of Operational Cooperation at the External Borders of the Member States of the European Union (Frontex) will also be represented.

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