As leaders of EU member states gather in Brussels on Thursday, moving forward on policies tackling irregular migration is set to be high on the agenda.
In an invitation letter to the leaders attending the meeting, President of the European Council Charles Michel said migration will be a “major point of discussion.”
Michel said the gathering will “focus on concrete measures to prevent irregular migration including strengthened control of our external borders, enhanced partnerships and reinforced return policies.”
Irregular border crossings down in 2024
Irregular border crossings are down over 40% so far in 2024, after they peaked at almost their highest level in almost a decade last year.
Ahead of the summit, Italy’s far-right Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told journalists “there is a desire to work on pragmatic solutions.”
Italy brokered a controversial deal which now sees some migrants going to reception centers in Albania.
The EU consists of 27 nations, with migrants entering the bloc by land from the east and via the Mediterranean sea from the south. Italy, with its long Mediterranean coastline and island territories not far from Africa, is one of the first destination countries for asylum seekers.
Poland is an EU country where migrants have tried to enter by land, with the Polish government accusing Belarus and Russia of pushing them to its territory.
The EU gathering comes after Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk called for suspending the right to asylum as a measure to prevent more people from coming in via Belarus.
EU gathering comes after far-right gains in Netherlands, Germany, Austria
The EU meeting comes as far-right parties running on harder anti-immigration measures gain power in Europe.
Far-right parties made dramatic gains in European Parliament elections in June, although the centrist working majority still held in the chamber. Far-right parties also have achieved victories in various national and regional elections in the Netherlands, Germany and Austria.
Other than migration, EU leaders on Thursday will also discuss issues such as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and various conflicts in the Middle East.
wd/wmr (Reuters, AP, AFP, dpa)
