EU Summit Starts in Brussels

Photo from Ukrinform–UATV

A two-day summit with leaders of the European Union has started today in Brussels.

The EU migration crisis, security, trans-Atlantic trade, troubled ties with American President Donald Trump, economic sanctions on Russia, the bloc’s next long-term budget from 2021, the euro zone reform and Brexit, will be discussed.

As channel 24 reported, one of the most important issues on the agenda is dicussing illegal migration. European countries have not been able to agree on this issue for a long time. The ultra-right government in Italy is trying to send over half a million refugees away from the country, but Germany has been getting in the way. Chancellor Angela Merkel is still trying to find a common solution to this matter, however, the EU is divided into two camps: one supporting Germany and the other supporting Italy.

The Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte has said that he could block any agreement unless other EU states also agree to allow in their ports, boats carrying people across the Mediterranean.

Merkel has described the summit as “make or break” for the union.

Before the summit, she said, “We can talk about landing ships (of migrants) in other countries, for example in North Africa. But we need to talk with these countries. We can’t do this over their heads. The EU-Turkey deal was one that both sides agreed to. So we need to talk about the needs of these countries. We need to do this together with the UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) and the IOM (International Organization for Migration). Defense of our external borders is something which unites Europe. (We will talk about ) the issues of Frontex, border protection, secondary migration. The countries that are receiving a lot of refugees need support. But the refugees and migrants can’t choose in which country they request asylum.”

The Hungarian prime minister, Viktor Orban, said that the “main issue is not migration; the issue is democracy in Europe … it is about what the people believe, what should be done.”

Britain’s withdrawal from the EU or Brexit will also be discussed. There have been several differences between Brussels and London, in particular the relationship with Ireland, which remains a member of the EU, and Northern Ireland, which will leave the EU as part of the United Kingdom.

The politicians also have to reach an agreement on sanctions against Russia. The leaders of Austria and Italy, who are in favor of lifting the sanctions, have been working closely with Moscow, and they may hinder its extension.

Earlier, the United Nations called on the EU to develop a coherent migration policy at the summit.