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EU summit: European leaders claim migration deal breakthrough – live updates EU summit: European leaders claim migration deal breakthrough – live updates
(35 minutes later)
More reaction is coming in from European leaders. Our Rome correspondent Stephanie Kirchgaessner has this from Italy:
In Italy, the deal was hailed by prime minister Giuseppe Conte as a breakthrough.
Conte said that Italy was no longer alone in dealing with the crisis on its shores. But there was – so far – no reaction on social media from the man who may matter more, the far-right interior minister Matteo Salvini.
In the last 24-hours, Salvini has repeated his call for NGOs to stop saving migrants in the Mediterranean, using the hashtag #stopinvasione, stop the invasion.
Malta chiude i suoi porti alle navi delle Ong straniere? Bene, quindi vuol dire che avevamo ragione noi, indietro non si torna!Stop al traffico di esseri umani, stop a chi aiuta gli scafisti. #stopinvasione pic.twitter.com/VFgwfmwksN
The Bavarian CSU, the sister party to Merkel’s CDU which had initially created the pressure for the chancellor to emerge from the summit with a new deal on migration, had already quietly switched to de-escalation mode before the German delegation headed to Brussels.Interior minister Horst Seehofer told German TV on Wednesday that while the situation was serious, the conversations that had been started were “quite sensible”. On Thursday night, former Bavarian state premier Edmund Stoiber said in a talkshow: “I am confident after hearing what is coming out of Brussels. I believe that a way can still be found”.Heads of the CSU and the CDU will meet separately in Munich and Berlin on Sunday at 3pm to debate the outcome of the Brussels summit.
The BBC have tweeted photographs of the new European Commission conclusion on migration. The conclusion includes a section on rescue boats, believed to be included as a concession to Italy (see the bolded text), and an interesting paragraph declaring the establishment of “controlled centres set up in Member States ... where rapid and secure processing would occur” of those who are rescued from the sea.
Here’s some of the text of the conclusion reached today:
As regards the Central Mediterranean Route, efforts to stop smugglers operating out of Libya or elsewhere should be further intensified. The EU will continue to stand by Italy and other frontline Member States in this respect. It will step up its support for the Sahel region, the Libyan Coastguard, coastal and Southern communities, humane reception conditions, voluntary humanitarian returns, cooperation with other countries of origin and transit, as well as voluntary resettlement. All vessels operating in the Mediterranean must respect the applicable laws and not obstruct operations of the Libyan Coastguard.
On EU territory, those who are saved, according to international law, should be taken charge of, on the basis of a shared effort, through the transfer in controlled centres set up in Member States, only on a voluntary basis, where rapid and secure processing would allow, with full EU support, to distinguish between irregular migrants, who will be returned, and those in need of international protection, for whom the principle of solidarity would apply. All the measures in the context of these controlled centres, including relocation and resettlement, will be on a voluntary basis, without prejudice to the Dublin reform.”
Dimitris Avramopoulos, the EU commissioner for migration, has said the agreement reached this morning was a “positive first step towards more solidarity”.
In a series of tweets in the early hours of this morning, Avramopolous called on EU member states to finalise the Common European Asylum System and to strengthen Frontex, the European border and coast guard agency.
Last week, Avramopouls said the EU wanted to “intensify cooperation” with Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Niger and Morocco and announced the intention to create a “regional disembarkation scheme”, similar to the scheme discussed and agreed upon by European government leaders overnight.
I welcome the positive and comprehensive approach taken by our leaders and building on the achievements of the last 3 years: the EU will continue to stand by frontline Member States and continue to stem irregular migration on all existing and emerging routes. #EUCO #migrationEU
A first positive step towards more solidarity on disembarkation, controlled centres for processing in the EU, including relocation and resettlement. I call on all to make this solidarity a reality. #EUCO #migrationEU
We will finalise the Common European Asylum System, strengthen further @Frontex , step up reform without forgetting our very valuable cooperation with our partners outside the EU. Welcome launch of the second tranche of Facility for Turkey and the €500 million for Africa. #EUCO
After a long night of talks that wrapped up at about 3am local time, leaders are expected back at 11am to begin day two of discussions. They are due to talk about Brexit today, though Theresa May has already addressed the council on the subject of Brexit, issuing a stark warning to them yesterday that their citizens’ lives will be at risk if they fail to show more flexibility on Brexit.After a long night of talks that wrapped up at about 3am local time, leaders are expected back at 11am to begin day two of discussions. They are due to talk about Brexit today, though Theresa May has already addressed the council on the subject of Brexit, issuing a stark warning to them yesterday that their citizens’ lives will be at risk if they fail to show more flexibility on Brexit.
Brussels has insisted the UK will not be able to participate in information-sharing schemes such as Ecris (European Criminal Records Information System) and Prüm, through which EU authorities track criminals and terrorists, once it is a “third country”.Brussels has insisted the UK will not be able to participate in information-sharing schemes such as Ecris (European Criminal Records Information System) and Prüm, through which EU authorities track criminals and terrorists, once it is a “third country”.
Yesterday, May told her fellow leaders that, if the EU continues to insist on this, Britain “will no longer be able to share real-time alerts for wanted persons, including criminals. We would be able to respond less swiftly to alerts for missing people, either side of the Channel, and reunite them with their loved ones. And our collective ability to map terrorist networks across Europe and bring those responsible to justice would be reduced. That is not what I want, and I do not believe that is what you want either”.Yesterday, May told her fellow leaders that, if the EU continues to insist on this, Britain “will no longer be able to share real-time alerts for wanted persons, including criminals. We would be able to respond less swiftly to alerts for missing people, either side of the Channel, and reunite them with their loved ones. And our collective ability to map terrorist networks across Europe and bring those responsible to justice would be reduced. That is not what I want, and I do not believe that is what you want either”.
Several papers led their coverage today with May’s warning. The Times’ splash headline was: “EU putting lives at risk over Brexit, warns May”, the Daily Express led with: “EU ‘risking lives’ in row over security”, whereas the i had: “Divided cabinet dismays Europe”.Several papers led their coverage today with May’s warning. The Times’ splash headline was: “EU putting lives at risk over Brexit, warns May”, the Daily Express led with: “EU ‘risking lives’ in row over security”, whereas the i had: “Divided cabinet dismays Europe”.
The European Council press office has shared this photo of the leaders hard at work in negotiations. Angela Merkel is in the centre on the far side of the circular table (in the jewel-green jacket).The European Council press office has shared this photo of the leaders hard at work in negotiations. Angela Merkel is in the centre on the far side of the circular table (in the jewel-green jacket).
June European Council #EUCO conclusions: https://t.co/XcpoPIlnZk pic.twitter.com/k6IZAf9kLjJune European Council #EUCO conclusions: https://t.co/XcpoPIlnZk pic.twitter.com/k6IZAf9kLj
The issue of immigration – which has been long-simmering and threatened the cohesion of the EU – is of particular importance to Merkel, whose coalition government is under strain after Germany’s hardline interior minister Horst Seehofer threatened to turn away any asylum claimants already registered in another EU country, unless Merkel came up with a solution by 1 July.The issue of immigration – which has been long-simmering and threatened the cohesion of the EU – is of particular importance to Merkel, whose coalition government is under strain after Germany’s hardline interior minister Horst Seehofer threatened to turn away any asylum claimants already registered in another EU country, unless Merkel came up with a solution by 1 July.
It is unclear whether this deal will be enough to appease the German chancellor’s critics back home.It is unclear whether this deal will be enough to appease the German chancellor’s critics back home.
Before leaving for the EU summit, Merkel addressed the Bundestag, saying European leaders should find a solution to asylum challenges “by allowing ourselves to be guided by values and rooting for multilateralism rather than unilateralism” and that failing to do so risked creating a situation where “no one believes in the value system that has made us so strong”.Before leaving for the EU summit, Merkel addressed the Bundestag, saying European leaders should find a solution to asylum challenges “by allowing ourselves to be guided by values and rooting for multilateralism rather than unilateralism” and that failing to do so risked creating a situation where “no one believes in the value system that has made us so strong”.
For more on Merkel’s troubles at home and warnings to European leaders, read this excellent piece from my colleagues Jennifer Rankin and Philip Oltermann.For more on Merkel’s troubles at home and warnings to European leaders, read this excellent piece from my colleagues Jennifer Rankin and Philip Oltermann.
European leaders have claimed to have reached a breakthrough on migration challenges, after all-night talks.European leaders have claimed to have reached a breakthrough on migration challenges, after all-night talks.
Gathering in Brussels, leaders are due to turn their attention to Brexit today, but yesterday the chief subject of debate was migration, as heads of government tried to find answers to what Angela Merkel has dubbed “vital questions” posed by migration to the union.Gathering in Brussels, leaders are due to turn their attention to Brexit today, but yesterday the chief subject of debate was migration, as heads of government tried to find answers to what Angela Merkel has dubbed “vital questions” posed by migration to the union.
Announcing the end of tense summit talks shortly before dawn, the head of the European Council Donald Tusk tweeted that EU leaders had reached an agreement, including on migration.Announcing the end of tense summit talks shortly before dawn, the head of the European Council Donald Tusk tweeted that EU leaders had reached an agreement, including on migration.
EU28 leaders have agreed on #euco conclusions incl. migration.EU28 leaders have agreed on #euco conclusions incl. migration.
Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin, has been reporting through the night. She writes:Brussels correspondent Jennifer Rankin, has been reporting through the night. She writes:
Hours earlier that outcome had been in doubt, when Italy threatened to veto the entire text, unless other EU states did more to help with people arriving on Italian shores. Opposition from Poland, Hungary and other central European states to any hint of mandatory action meant talks dragged through the night.Hours earlier that outcome had been in doubt, when Italy threatened to veto the entire text, unless other EU states did more to help with people arriving on Italian shores. Opposition from Poland, Hungary and other central European states to any hint of mandatory action meant talks dragged through the night.
The euro jumped 0.6% on news of the deal, while French president Emmanuel Macron declared that European cooperation “has won the day”.The euro jumped 0.6% on news of the deal, while French president Emmanuel Macron declared that European cooperation “has won the day”.
Italy’s new prime minister Giuseppe Conte said: “We are satisfied. It was a long negotiation but from today Italy is no longer alone.”Italy’s new prime minister Giuseppe Conte said: “We are satisfied. It was a long negotiation but from today Italy is no longer alone.”
But the bloc dodged an agreement on controversial refugee quotas, as a quartet of central European countries resisted language on EU-wide responsibility. “It is a thin deal,” said one senior source.But the bloc dodged an agreement on controversial refugee quotas, as a quartet of central European countries resisted language on EU-wide responsibility. “It is a thin deal,” said one senior source.
The plan agreed upon aims to bolster the bloc’s external borders and improve solidarity between member states, to reduce pressure on countries like Greece, Spain and Italy, which are points of arrival into Europe.The plan agreed upon aims to bolster the bloc’s external borders and improve solidarity between member states, to reduce pressure on countries like Greece, Spain and Italy, which are points of arrival into Europe.
Details are hazy, but the plan seems to involve establishing screening centers in North Africa, where asylum eligibility is assessed. European Union funds would be used to persuade the countries to sign on. At present no north African countries have suggested they would be willing to participate.Details are hazy, but the plan seems to involve establishing screening centers in North Africa, where asylum eligibility is assessed. European Union funds would be used to persuade the countries to sign on. At present no north African countries have suggested they would be willing to participate.
Leaders also agreed that EU countries should help migrants rescued in the Mediterranean to alleviate the burden on Italy and Greece – an issue that has come to the fore since Italy closed its ports to migrant rescue ships – but details of how this would work remained unclear.Leaders also agreed that EU countries should help migrants rescued in the Mediterranean to alleviate the burden on Italy and Greece – an issue that has come to the fore since Italy closed its ports to migrant rescue ships – but details of how this would work remained unclear.
On leaving the summit the German chancellor conceded that “we still have a lot of work to do to bridge the different views,” but said it was “a good signal” that the EU had agreed a common text, Jennifer Rankin reports. Merkel had warned on Thursday that the future of the European Union hinged on whether it could find answers to the “vital questions” posed by migration.On leaving the summit the German chancellor conceded that “we still have a lot of work to do to bridge the different views,” but said it was “a good signal” that the EU had agreed a common text, Jennifer Rankin reports. Merkel had warned on Thursday that the future of the European Union hinged on whether it could find answers to the “vital questions” posed by migration.
We will be bringing you more news from the EU summit, plus other political news, opinion and analysis throughout the day. You can read all today’s Guardian politics stories here.We will be bringing you more news from the EU summit, plus other political news, opinion and analysis throughout the day. You can read all today’s Guardian politics stories here.