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He said that Latvia must show solidarity, but it must be done voluntarily, without enforcing compulsory refugee quotas.

It is a fact that Latvia is able to show solidarity, and it has been confirmed by the country's actions, explained Piebalgs. For instance, Latvia, unlike Germany and several other countries, sent its soldiers to serve in Africa, but is now being reprimanded by these countries for showing lack of solidarity.

Piebalgs stressed that quotas in this regard are not acceptable.

As reported, the European Commission has proposed taking in 20,000 refugees over two years and distributing them across Europe but giving Britain, Ireland, and Denmark the option not to accept any.

The issue will be decided by European leaders at a summit at the end of June.

According to the European Commission's proposed refugee quotas, Latvia would have to take in 220 refugees from outside of the European Union.

According to the International Migration Organization (IMO) more than 34,000 asylum seekers crossed the Mediterranean to arrive in Italy this year, while around 1,770 died or disappeared in the Mediterranean Sea during the crossing.

The IMO reported 3,300 such deaths during 2014.

As part of its measures to combat mass migration in the Mediterranean, the EU also wants to be able to intercept and board people-smuggling boats in Libyan waters before they reach European jurisdiction, something that would require a United Nations resolution.