Informal working meeting of EU Heads of State or Government on migration and asylum issues, 24 June 2018

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Publication Date 24/06/2018
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Summary:

The Heads of State or Government from 16 EU Member States held an informal working meeting on 24 June 2018 to discuss the migration flows into the European Union and the political disputes these sparked within it.

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This 'emergency mini-summit' was called following fresh pressure from political stakeholders in some Member States to address irregular migration.

Migration as a hot political topic made its comeback following a decision by the Italian government not to allow any more migrant rescue boats to dock in the country's ports. The hard stance prompted heavy criticism from some European sectors - like the Spanish and French authorities - but also some support from like-minded governments, like the Austrian cabinet. The situation also sparked tension within the German government, with Bavaria's CSU calling for an unilateral change of policy as regards irregular migrants.

This summit was seen as an opportunity for Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel to seek out for an EU-wide solution for the problem, in an attempt to tame criticism from her own coalition partners. However, its importance was also downplayed as a consultation exercise leading up to the European Council summit held a few days later. Even so, the meeting concluded without substancial results. The Visegrad countries - critical of an open EU policy from the start - were not at the meeting.

Related Links
[Opinion] Friends of Europe: Publication, 26.06.18: Defuse this explosive migration summit with a strategic EU study https://friendsofeurope.org/publication/defuse-explosive-migration-summit-strategic-eu-study-giles-merritt
[Opinion] Handelsblatt, 27.06.18: Offshore migrant centers could save the EU https://global.handelsblatt.com/opinion/offshore-migrant-centers-eu-palacio-939167
[Opinion] Human Rights Watch, 26.06.18: EU: Decisive Moment for Migration Policy https://www.hrw.org/news/2018/06/26/eu-decisive-moment-migration-policy
Deutsche Welle, 26.06.18: Mediterranean refugee rescues spark EU dispute https://p.dw.com/p/30LZJ
The Guardian, 24.06.18: EU leaders' migration summit offers lifeline to embattled Merkel https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/24/eu-leaders-migration-summit-offers-lifeline-to-angela-merkel
France24, 24.06.18: EU papers over differences after 'frank' migration talks http://www.france24.com/en/20180624-eu-papers-over-differences-merkel-macron-conte-frank-migration-talks
EurActiv, 24.06.18: Conte and Macron compare notes on migration at mini-summit https://www.euractiv.com/section/future-eu/news/conte-and-macron-compare-notes-on-migration-at-mini-summit/
Politico, 24.06.18: Italy presents migration plan at emergency EU mini-summit https://www.politico.eu/article/giuseppe-conte-italy-migration-plan-at-emergency-eu-mini-summit/
EurActiv, 20.06.18: EU leaders to hold crisis talks on migration this Sunday in Brussels https://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/eu-leaders-to-hold-crisis-talks-on-migration-this-sunday-in-brussels/
The Guardian, 20.06.18: European leaders to attend emergency 'mini-summit' on migration https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/20/european-leaders-to-attend-emergency-mini-summit-on-migration
Reuters, 20.06.18: Challenged at home, Merkel seeks emergency EU meeting on migration https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1JG1G9
The Guardian, 21.06.18: 21.06.18: Mini-summit on migration unlikely to heal European rifts https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/21/mini-summit-on-migration-unlikely-to-heal-european-rifts
The Local (Italy), 25.06.18: Italy demands new regulations for migrants at tense EU summit https://www.thelocal.it/20180625/italy-demands-new-regulations-for-migrants-at-tense-eu-summit
RTÉ News, 24.06.18: Italy calls for migrant 'protection centres' to relieve overcrowding https://www.rte.ie/news/2018/0624/972783-european-union-summit-brussels/
[Opinion] The Guardian, 27.06.18: Blame for the ‘migrant crisis’ lies with national politicians, not the EU https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/jun/27/blame-migrant-crisis-national-politicians-eu
Reuters, 26.06.18: EU summit to focus on lowering Mediterranean immigration https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN1JL2PJ
Radio Poland, 21.06.18: V4 PMs to skip EU migration mini-summit: Hungary's Orban http://www.thenews.pl/1/10/Artykul/369449
Euro|topics, June 2018: Will the EU reach a consensus on refugees? https://www.eurotopics.net/en/201339/
ECFR: Commentary, 27.06.18: The hazards of haste: EU migration policy under pressure http://www.ecfr.eu/article/commentary_eu_migration_policy_under_pressure
Politico, 21.06.18: Merkel’s migration mini summit gives Brussels major pain https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkels-migration-mini-summit-gives-brussels-major-headache-matteo-salvini/
Politico, 25.06.18: Commission pushes Council to revise migration plan https://www.politico.eu/article/european-commission-pushes-council-to-revise-migration-plan-angela-merkel-jean-claude-juncker/

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