A resolution approved by the European Parliament calls for a mechanism for the relocation of migrants according to their needs and the demands faced by member states.

The non-binding resolution says relocation of internationally-protected persons within the EU should take account of their best interests and the need for solidarity between member states.

The MEPs also called for more money for asylum policy, joint processing of asylum applications and a stronger role for the European Asylum Support Office (EASO), to promote closer cooperation among EU countries.

Parliament called on the Commission to include an "EU distribution key" for relocating beneficiaries of international protection. The system would take account of beneficiaries' best interests and integration prospects and objective indicators for member states, such as GDP, population and surface area.

A "distribution key" could help EU countries facing disproportionate pressures on their national asylum systems or in emergency situations, the MEPs said.

""In this text we have spelled out what solidarity means in practice: burden sharing between the different Member States. Now we look to the Commission to pass on to us the relevant legislative proposals so that we can continue the work we committed to undertake since 1999", explained rapporteur Kyriacos Triantaphyllides. His resolution was adopted with 584 in favour, 41 against and 54 abstentions.

Commissioner John Dalli spoke in the debate on behalf of the Commission (see video)

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