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EU Leaders Reach Agreement on Migration

by VOA News

   European Union leaders reached a deal on how to deal with migration
   after all-night talks to overcome Italian demands for more help.
   EU Council President Donald Tusk said in a tweet early Friday that the
   28 EU "leaders have agreed" on a compromise that was at the heart of
   their two-day summit.

   EU diplomats said the leaders found agreement on a vaguely worded
   concept centering on reception centers to deal with migrants and asylum
   seekers in EU nations, which would volunteer to have them.
   German Chancellor Angela Merkel had been under intense pressure to find
   a breakthrough to stave off a government crisis at home.

   Earlier Italy had blocked the adoption of any agreements, demanding
   that the bloc do more to help Rome's migration crisis.

   Italy's month-old populist government refused to sign any joint
   agreements, instead holding out for action by other European countries
   to help deal with the migrants and refugees coming to Italy from North
   Africa.

   "Italy doesn't need any more verbal signs, but concrete deeds," Italian
   Premier Giuseppe Conte said.

   Other issues at the summit include trade and defense along with
   migration.

   Far fewer arrivals

   Arrivals to the continent have dropped sharply since a 2015 crisis that
   drew sharp divisions among the bloc's 28 members about how they should
   respond. Some countries promoted more open-door policies, while others
   set up barriers to prevent those who reached Europe from crossing their
   borders.

   The EU said in 2015 there were more than 1.8 million illegal border
   crossings into member countries. EU President Donald Tusk wrote in a
   letter ahead of the summit the number of illegal crossings has dropped
   by 96 percent since its peak.

   Policies already enacted have helped push that number down, notably an
   agreement with Turkey for the Turkish government to help cut off
   migration routes and to accept the return of those who make the journey
   from Turkey to Greece. The EU also began work to tackle the root causes
   pushing people from their home country.

   Merkel, who was among the most open to accepting migrants during the
   height of the crisis, is under pressure at home from critics who say
   Germany has been too welcoming.

   She told parliament Thursday before heading to Brussels that she made
   the right decision in an exceptional situation, but that with the
   current situation the EU should put in place tighter controls. Merkel
   said that while there is division among members, they are united in the
   need to reduce overall migration, stop smugglers and strengthen the
   EU's external borders.

   The Associated Press contributed to this report.