"For as long as there is war and hardship in our neighbourhood near and far, people will continue to seek a safe haven on European shores," the European Commission said in a statement.
"And as long as countries of origin and transit do not take action to prevent these desperate trips, people will continue to put their lives at risk."
The statement said the meeting would be part of the EU's approach to try to tackle the problem by working with third countries, but did not give any timetable.
French President Francois Hollande called earlier today for such a meeting, saying Europe "must act" against the growing catalogue of mass drownings of migrants attempting to reach its shores, and calling for closer surveillance of the routes used by people smugglers.