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Migrant crisis dominates as EU holds final summit of 2015 Migrant crisis dominates as EU holds final summit of 2015
(35 minutes later)
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 year. Germany and seven other EU nations are meeting Turkey to discuss ways of settling thousands of Syrian refugees ahead of the final EU summit of 2015.
Leaders attending the meeting will discuss a proposal to resettle Syrians straight from camps in Turkey. Leaders attending will discuss a proposal to resettle Syrians straight from camps in Turkey.
But German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the driving force behind the plans, faces resistance from other EU states.But German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the driving force behind the plans, faces resistance from other EU states.
Thursday's full EU summit in Brussels is set to focus heavily on the migrant crisis, which has divided members.Thursday's full EU summit in Brussels is set to focus heavily on the migrant crisis, which has divided members.
Record numbers of people have arrived in Europe this year, prompting some states to build fences and introduce border controls in defiance of the EU's border-free Schengen area.Record numbers of people have arrived in Europe this year, prompting some states to build fences and introduce border controls in defiance of the EU's border-free Schengen area.
The resettlement proposal would see EU countries accept Syrian refugees directly from Turkey under a voluntary scheme.The resettlement proposal would see EU countries accept Syrian refugees directly from Turkey under a voluntary scheme.
It is hoped the resettlement plan will stop people making the dangerous sea journey to Greece and will be more palatable for EU members than obligatory quotas. 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.
Turkey and European leaders struck a deal last month in which Ankara tries to prevent migrants leaving in exchange for financial aid and political concessions. Turkey and eight EU nations - including Germany, Sweden and Greece - are holding a special meeting to discuss the migration crisis before the full summit.
EU Parliament President Martin Schulz said Thursday's so-called "mini-summit" was "not a split but a consequence of lack of solidarity".
European leaders are struggling to maintain unity after a tumultuous year of negotiations, reports the BBC's Chris Morris in Brussels.
Turkey and European leaders struck a controversial deal last month in which Ankara tries to prevent migrants leaving its borders in exchange for financial aid and political concessions.
But plans for resettlement will only move forward if Turkey takes decisive steps to cut off the illegal flow of people crossing the Aegean Sea, our correspondent says.
'No good alternative''No good alternative'
The wider EU summit will discuss European Commission plans to create an EU coast guard, and other ways to strengthen external borders.The wider EU summit will discuss European Commission plans to create an EU coast guard, and other ways to strengthen external borders.
The fight against terrorism is also expected to dominate the summit after it emerged that at least two of the Paris attackers used the migrant route to travel to France.The fight against terrorism is also expected to dominate the summit after it emerged that at least two of the Paris attackers used the migrant route to travel to France.
At a glance: The summit agendaAt a glance: The summit agenda
Ahead of the summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said: "There is no good alternative to border protection.Ahead of the summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said: "There is no good alternative to border protection.
"Europe cannot remain vulnerable when Schengen states are not able to effectively protect their borders.""Europe cannot remain vulnerable when Schengen states are not able to effectively protect their borders."
However he has been keen to keep migration and terror as separate issues, writing in his summit invitation: "The protection of our external borders is not intended to scare off those who flee wars or persecution".However he has been keen to keep migration and terror as separate issues, writing in his summit invitation: "The protection of our external borders is not intended to scare off those who flee wars or persecution".
Many migrants are themselves fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, seeking to reach northern Europe.Many migrants are themselves fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan, seeking to reach northern Europe.
Analysis: Chris Morris, BBC Europe Correspondent
As a tumultuous year draws to a close, European leaders are struggling to maintain unity. They have been overwhelmed by weight of numbers, as nearly a million migrants and refugees have arrived on European shores.
Now Angela Merkel is once again taking the lead trying to work out ways to admit Syrian refugees straight from camps in Turkey.
Initially figures in the hundreds of thousands were being discussed - already that has fallen to tens of thousands. And plans for resettlement will only move forward if Turkey takes decisive steps to cut off the illegal flow of people crossing the Aegean Sea.
Plans to relocate 160,000 refugees who have already arrived in Europe are moving extremely slowly - so far only around 200 have actually been transferred from one country to another.
The summit will also discuss British efforts to renegotiate its membership of the EU before holding a referendum, by the end of 2017, on whether to stay or leave.The summit will also discuss British efforts to renegotiate its membership of the EU before holding a referendum, by the end of 2017, on whether to stay or leave.
Leaders discuss Cameron's reformsLeaders discuss Cameron's reforms
"We want a fair deal with Britain and this fair deal has to be a fair deal with other countries," Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commision, said ahead of the summit, adding that he did not want the UK to leave. "We want a fair deal with Britain and this fair deal has to be a fair deal with other countries," Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, said ahead of the summit, adding that he did not want the UK to leave.
Chancellor Merkel has stressed the "enormous importance" of avoiding a British exit but said she was not prepared to give in to all of Prime Minister David Cameron's demands for reform.Chancellor Merkel has stressed the "enormous importance" of avoiding a British exit but said she was not prepared to give in to all of Prime Minister David Cameron's demands for reform.