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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)
EU leaders are gathering in Brussels for an end-of-year summit focused on tackling Europe's migrant crisis.EU leaders are gathering in Brussels for an end-of-year summit focused on tackling Europe's migrant crisis.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders from seven other EU nations held a special meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu earlier.German Chancellor Angela Merkel and leaders from seven other EU nations held a special meeting with Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu earlier.
One proposal being considered is for the EU to resettle Syrian refugees directly from camps in Turkey - but some countries oppose this.One proposal being considered is for the EU to resettle Syrian refugees directly from camps in Turkey - but some countries oppose this.
Other topics include plans for an EU border force and the UK reform agenda.Other topics include plans for an EU border force and the UK reform agenda.
More than 900,000 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.More than 900,000 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 Paris attacks in November have also heightened security concerns across the bloc.The Paris attacks in November have also heightened security concerns across the bloc.
More palatableMore palatable
Arriving for the summit, French President Francois Hollande said he supported the European Commission's proposal for a beefed up border force. Arriving for the summit, Mrs Merkel and French President Francois Hollande both said they supported the European Commission's proposal for a beefed up border force.
"We must equally respect the promises which we have already made - notably regarding refugees who need to be resettled," he added. "We must equally respect the promises which we have already made - notably regarding refugees who need to be resettled," Mr Hollande added.
The latest resettlement plan would see EU countries accept Syrian refugees directly from Turkey under a voluntary scheme.The latest resettlement plan 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.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.
Efforts 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.Efforts 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.
A report to be delivered to the summit says a €3bn (£2.1bn) deal with Turkey has had little success reducing the flow of refugees and migrants to Greece.A report to be delivered to the summit says a €3bn (£2.1bn) deal with Turkey has had little success reducing the flow of refugees and migrants to Greece.
The deal last month saw Ankara agree to try to prevent migrants leaving its territory in exchange for financial aid and political concessions. But Mrs Merkel described Thursday's special meeting between Turkey and eight EU nations - including Belgium, Austria and Greece - as "very good".
Turkey and eight EU nations - including Germany, Sweden and Greece - held a special meeting to discuss the crisis before Thursday's full summit. She said interested member states could choose to join similar talks in the future, looking at how to reduce illegal migration and improve systems for legal migration.
'Vulnerable 'Not to scare off'
Ahead of the summit, European Council President Donald Tusk said he supported the plan for a stronger EU border force and coast guard.
"Europe cannot remain vulnerable when Schengen states are not able to effectively protect their borders," he said.
The fight against terrorism is also expected to dominate 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 after it emerged that at least two of the Paris attackers used the migrant route to travel to France.
However Mr Tusk was 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". But writing in his summit invitation, European Council President Donald Tusk was keen to keep migration and terror as separate issues.
"The protection of our external borders is not intended to scare off those who flee wars or persecution," he said.
Many migrants are fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.Many migrants are fleeing violence in Syria, Iraq and Afghanistan.
At a glance: The summit agenda
As a tumultuous year draws to a close, European leaders are struggling to maintain unity, reports the BBC's Chris Morris in Brussels.As a tumultuous year draws to a close, European leaders are struggling to maintain unity, reports the BBC's Chris Morris in Brussels.
Nearly a million migrants and refugees have arrived on European shores after crossing the Mediterranean, according to the UN's refugee agency. Most then travel north via the Western Balkans to countries such as Germany and Sweden. The UN's refugee agency says 954,481 migrants and refugees have landed on Europe's shores this year, and more than 800,000 of them have arrived in Greece. Most travel north via the Western Balkans to countries such as Germany and Sweden.
Speaking to German daily Die Welt, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann warned that eastern European countries could lose some EU budget funds if they refused to share the burden of accommodating migrants.Speaking to German daily Die Welt, Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann warned that eastern European countries could lose some EU budget funds if they refused to share the burden of accommodating migrants.
"Solidarity isn't a one-way street," he said."Solidarity isn't a one-way street," he said.
At a glance: The summit agenda
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 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.
Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic said on Thursday they would reject any British demand to change EU laws that would lead to discrimination of their citizens or limit their freedom of movement.
Meanwhile Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission, said before the summit: "We want a fair deal with Britain and this fair deal has to be a fair deal with other countries," adding that he did not want the UK to leave.