Germany to push for compulsory EU quotas

Germany is to push for more ambitious and extensive European Union (EU) policies on the refugee crisis, with compulsory and permanent quotas for sharing the distribution of thousands migrants, the media reported on Friday.

The plans, being prepared in Berlin and Brussels, are certain to trigger bitter resistance and major clashes within the EU. Berlin backs European commission plans to make the proposed scheme "permanent and binding". But up to 15 of 28 EU countries are opposed, The Guardian reported.

The plans will apply only to country which are under EU's passport-free Schengen zone.

Under one proposal being circulated in Berlin, the EU would strike pacts with third countries, such as Turkey, agreeing to take large but unspecified numbers of refugees from them directly into Europe.

The plans also include moves to "Europeanise" control of the EU's external borders.

This would entail national governments surrendering some of their powers on those frontiers and granting at least some authority over refugee admissions, detentions and deportation to EU bodies such as Frontex, the fledgling borders agency.

At least 1 million refugees are expected to arrive in Germany by the end of this year.