Syria, Eritrean asylum seekers to be redistributed - update

(ANSA) - Brussels, May 21 - The European Commission plans to include Syrians and Eritreans among asylum seekers to be redistributed among European Union member states in emergency measures benefitting Italy and Greece, sources in Brussels said Thursday. The countries of destination and nationality of asylum seekers to be sent there will be established according to precise criteria, as will the percentage of people to be redistributed from the two beneficiary states.
    The total number of people to be moved from Italy and Greece will be made known at a meeting on 27 May.
    It is a "very politically sensitive" matter that is expected to spark debate, sources said. Unconfirmed reports suggest the number could range from 20,000 to 50,000 people. Italy and Greece are in the front line in the Mediterranean migrant crisis, with most recent applications for political asylum coming from Syrians, followed by Eritreans.