This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-37380429

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Bratislava EU meeting: Bloc needs 'sober look at problems' says Tusk Bratislava EU meeting: Bloc needs 'honest look at problems' says Tusk
(about 3 hours later)
The European Council President Donald Tusk has called on EU leaders to take a "sober and brutally honest" look at the bloc's problems, in the wake of Britain's shock vote to leave the EU.The European Council President Donald Tusk has called on EU leaders to take a "sober and brutally honest" look at the bloc's problems, in the wake of Britain's shock vote to leave the EU.
As they gather in Bratislava for a meeting without the UK, they will discuss ways to regain trust in the EU.As they gather in Bratislava for a meeting without the UK, they will discuss ways to regain trust in the EU.
The meeting is not due to discuss negotiations with Britain, but will look at the future as a bloc of 27.The meeting is not due to discuss negotiations with Britain, but will look at the future as a bloc of 27.
Officials say Mr Tusk views migration as the main issue to tackle.Officials say Mr Tusk views migration as the main issue to tackle.
Even though Britain's referendum result is not on the agenda, and the British Prime Minister Theresa May is not attending the summit, there is little doubt that Brexit will overshadow the meeting.Even though Britain's referendum result is not on the agenda, and the British Prime Minister Theresa May is not attending the summit, there is little doubt that Brexit will overshadow the meeting.
Katya Adler: The EU's Bratislava bluesKatya Adler: The EU's Bratislava blues
Eastern leaders offer new menu at EU crisis talksEastern leaders offer new menu at EU crisis talks
What has the EU learnt since Brexit?What has the EU learnt since Brexit?
Brexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EUBrexit: All you need to know about the UK leaving the EU
In a statement on the eve of the summit, Mr Tusk said it was true that European had been shaken "by all kinds of crises" recently, and could not act as if nothing was wrong.In a statement on the eve of the summit, Mr Tusk said it was true that European had been shaken "by all kinds of crises" recently, and could not act as if nothing was wrong.
"It's my feeling that the best motto for the Bratislava meeting is that we must not let these crises go to waste," he said."It's my feeling that the best motto for the Bratislava meeting is that we must not let these crises go to waste," he said.
Instead, he said, the EU should make a "realistic diagnosis of the causes of Brexit".Instead, he said, the EU should make a "realistic diagnosis of the causes of Brexit".
The European Council leader called on EU leaders to assure citizens that they had "learned the lessons from Brexit", and that they were are able to "bring back stability and a sense of security".The European Council leader called on EU leaders to assure citizens that they had "learned the lessons from Brexit", and that they were are able to "bring back stability and a sense of security".
But EU countries are deeply divided over how to bolster the economy and the Eurozone, how to safeguard European security, and how to respond to an influx of migrants.But EU countries are deeply divided over how to bolster the economy and the Eurozone, how to safeguard European security, and how to respond to an influx of migrants.
The summit host, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, is one of a group of central and eastern European leaders who object to the EU migrant quota system which distributes migrants across the EU. He has said Slovakia will not accept "one single Muslim migrant" and has mounted a legal challenge to the scheme.The summit host, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, is one of a group of central and eastern European leaders who object to the EU migrant quota system which distributes migrants across the EU. He has said Slovakia will not accept "one single Muslim migrant" and has mounted a legal challenge to the scheme.
On Tuesday, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn called for Hungary to be suspended or even expelled from the European Union because of its "massive violation" of fundamental EU values, specifically the government's treatment of refugees.On Tuesday, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn called for Hungary to be suspended or even expelled from the European Union because of its "massive violation" of fundamental EU values, specifically the government's treatment of refugees.
For France, the priority is border security in the wake of a number of Islamic extremist attacks in the country.For France, the priority is border security in the wake of a number of Islamic extremist attacks in the country.
Is Angela Merkel's political capital running out?Is Angela Merkel's political capital running out?
Hollande: France's democracy will beat barbarismHollande: France's democracy will beat barbarism
France and Germany have outlined plans to deepen European military co-operation, which were reinforced in the State of the Union address by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday, in which he called for European Military Headquarters.France and Germany have outlined plans to deepen European military co-operation, which were reinforced in the State of the Union address by European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker on Wednesday, in which he called for European Military Headquarters.
Britain's departure from the EU removes one of the biggest obstacles to stronger EU defence in tandem with Nato.Britain's departure from the EU removes one of the biggest obstacles to stronger EU defence in tandem with Nato.
But the French President Francois Hollande also said Britain's vote to divorce with the EU had triggered a crisis that threatened the bloc's very existence.But the French President Francois Hollande also said Britain's vote to divorce with the EU had triggered a crisis that threatened the bloc's very existence.
"It's not just another crisis, it might be an existential crisis", he said on Thursday following a meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris."It's not just another crisis, it might be an existential crisis", he said on Thursday following a meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel in Paris.
The one-day Bratislava meeting is set to be the first in a number of confidence-building meetings where a "roadmap" should be set up to culminate in a summit in March in the Italian capital Rome, when the 60th anniversary of the EU's founding Treaty of Rome will be celebrated.The one-day Bratislava meeting is set to be the first in a number of confidence-building meetings where a "roadmap" should be set up to culminate in a summit in March in the Italian capital Rome, when the 60th anniversary of the EU's founding Treaty of Rome will be celebrated.