European Union (EU) ministers on Monday agreed on a plan to relocate 40,000 refugees from Italy and Greece.

EU's Justice and Home Affairs Council said in a press release that the ministers adopted a decision establishing provisional measures in the area of international protection for the benefit of Italy and Greece.

The decision establishes a temporary and exceptional relocation mechanism over two years from the frontline member states Italy and Greece to other member states.

It will apply to 40,000 people in need of international protection who have arrived or are arriving on the territory of those member states as from Aug. 15, 2015 until Sept. 16, 2017.

Jean Asselborn, Luxembourg's Minister for Immigration and Asylum and President of the Council said, "I am delighted that the Council has now been able to adopt this Decision."

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