The member states have agreed on a flexible mechanism, Interior Minister Vesna Györkös Žnidar said after the meeting.

The plan involves relocating 66,000 people from Italy and Greece in the first phase, and the rest in 12 months.

In the second phase the scheme can be used by member states other than Greece and Italy.

Overall Slovenia is slated to accept 613 refugees, a figure that the minister said was "the upper limit". The final figure could yet change, however.

Györkös Žnidar also said other member states recognised Slovenia's efforts, singling it out as a country that was prepared for the inflow of refugees and reacted well.

Austria, for example, commended Slovenia's conduct, the minister said, adding that controls on the Schengen border were important for other member states given that the Schengen system is based on interdependence.

Prime Minister Miro Cerar labelled the agreement as "a step forward" in the quest for a common European solution which is yet to coalesce into a coherent set of measures.

He expects such a coherent approach not on Wednesday, when EU leaders will hold an emergency summit, but in the coming weeks and months at the latest. "After that time will run out."

Cerar told reporters ahead of a coalition meeting today that he would be among the leaders calling for a common European solution.