European Union foreign ministers have approved a deal with the United States on helping to resettle detainees freed from the U.S. terrorist suspect detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

A joint statement issued at an EU ministers' meeting in Luxembourg says some EU countries are ready to accept detainees on a case-by-case basis.

The statement did not specify a number of detainees or what countries would take them. But it indicated U.S. readiness to contribute financially to their resettlement.
The EU countries expressed hope their decision will help the United States deal with the Guantanamo issue that has caused deep divisions among the allies.

The United States is seeking a home for those cleared for release but cannot return to their home countries for fear of mistreatment. U.S. President Barack Obama has vowed to shut down the detention center by January.