×

Migrant Crisis Dominates EU Summit

Germany and several other nations are to discuss with Turkey ways of settling thousands of Syrian refugees ahead of the final EU summit of the … Continue reading Migrant Crisis Dominates EU Summit


EU Summit-Migrant crisis-unhcr

EU SummitGermany and several other nations are to discuss with Turkey ways of settling thousands of Syrian refugees ahead of the final EU summit of the year.

The mass influx of migrants will feature prominently on the agenda of a full European Union summit later on Thursday, after the executive European Commission proposed this week new measures to stem the tide, including a common coastguard.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel will explore new possible ways to admit Syrian refugees to Europe as she struggles to control a migrant crisis that has split the 28-nation bloc.

The German Chancellor, has been the driving force behind the voluntary resettlement idea, saying it would help Turkey, as well as EU member states to have more control over who gets to Europe but she faces resistance from other EU states.

The resettlement proposal would see EU countries accept Syrian refugees directly from Turkey under a voluntary scheme.

It is hoped the plan will stop people making the dangerous sea journey to Greece and will be more palatable for EU members than obligatory quotas.

The idea for voluntary resettlement is linked to a wider deal with Turkey under which Ankara would prevent migrants leaving for Greece in return for financial aid from the bloc, accelerated visa-free travel for Turks to the EU and reviving long-stalled membership talks.

The EU is at loggerheads over two distinct issues – relocation of migrants who have already arrived in Europe through Greece and Italy, and resettlement of a limited number directly from Turkey, Jordan and Lebanon.

The proposal, however, does not set a minimum number of refugees EU states would take from Turkey in the next five years and no formal decisions are expected when leaders of Germany, Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland, Sweden, Greece and the Netherlands meet Davutoglu.

Merkel may also try to enlist the help of other leaders individually during the main summit, diplomats said. France and others could still decide to join the prior meeting, they added.

A draft final statement prepared by diplomats for the full EU summit said only that member states should “rapidly examine” proposals for a “voluntary humanitarian admission scheme”.