The European Summit on June 28th and 29th, in Brussels, is likely to be long and very tense. The twenty-eight leaders of the European Union (EU) have a long list of topics to address: global trade threatened by Donald Trump, the French proposal for a eurozone budget, Brexit negotiations … However, all the attention will be focused on finding a solution to the divisive issue of migration.
Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, suggests introducing a new system of « platforms » where migrants could get their refugee status checked before arriving to Europe. The goal is to break the economic model of smugglers by discouraging candidates to cross the Mediterranean. The « relevant » third countries (Tunisia, Morocco, Algeria), will be involved, according to Donald Tusk. If this concept is accepted by the Member States, it will be further investigated with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Both are ready to work on this type of solution, provided it is undertaken in compliance with the right to asylum. Germany, currently destabilized by migration issues, will also stress the importance of limiting secondary movements of migrants within the Schengen area, through the negotiation of bilateral agreements between member states.
Despite a sharp decline in migration flows to the EU since 2015, Europeans find themselves in another crisis situation, once again confronted with their inability to find a real European solution to face the migratory challenge.
Marie Peschier
For further information:
- Euractiv (28.06.2018) « Migration set to overshadow eurozone reform debate at EU summit » https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/migration-set-to-overshadow-eurozone-reform-debate-at-eu-summit/?utm_source=EURACTIV&utm_campaign=62208fc116-RSS_EMAIL_EN_Daily_Update&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_c59e2fd7a9-62208fc116-114987371
- Le Monde (28.06.2018) « Migrants : un sommet européen au résultat très incertain » https://www.lemonde.fr/europe/article/2018/06/28/migrants-un-sommet-europeen-au-resultat-tres-incertain_5322285_3214.html
- BBC (28.06.2018) « Europe migrants: Disputes make EU summit a key test » https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-44633606
- Consilium.europa « European Council, 28-29/06/2018 – Agenda highlights » http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/european-council/2018/06/28-29/
