Europe to tackle refugees along western Balkans route

Leaders from 11 European countries agreed on a plan to tackle challenges arising from refugee flows along the western Balkans route.

In a 17-point plan of action, they agreed to nominate contact points within 24 hours to allow daily exchanges and coordination to achieve gradual, controlled and orderly movement of refugees along the route, Xinhua news agency reported.

Countries along the route pledged to work with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), and increase efforts to manage borders.

European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said refugees need to be treated in a humane manner along the route to avoid a humanitarian tragedy in Europe.

"I am therefore pleased that today we were able to jointly agree on a 17-point plan of pragmatic and operational measures to ensure people are not left to fend for themselves in the rain and cold," he said.