New agreement on migrant crisis possible: Polish deputy FM

“One could say that this summit starts a real revision … of the EU migrant and refugee policy,” Szymański said.

Also at the summit, Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło said that discussion on EU migration policy reform is starting to open up.

"This goal was a top priority for the [Polish] government," she said.

"We are starting talks about changing the migration policy, which for Poland means leaving behind mandatory quotas."

Flexible solidarity

Szymański said Poland would not allow the EU to enforce a system of relocating or allocating migrants or asylum seekers.

“The way in which Poland carries out its own refugee policy plans is exclusively Poland’s decision,” Szymański added.

The European Commission earlier this year floated proposals that would see EU member states face huge fines if they refuse to accept their share of asylum-seekers.

The Visegrad Group, comprising Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary, recently proposed a "flexible solidarity" plan for immigration policy.

The plan generally stipulates that member states themselves – based on their potential and experience – would decide how they participate in the EU's migration policy and in solving the refugee crisis, and that participation in refugee distribution programs should be voluntary. (vb/pk)

Source: PAP