The EU summit in Brussels ended without a unanimous position on the issue of migrants. The European Council failed to approve the paragraph on “consensual” relations.
The difficulties arose after Poland demanded to renegotiate the agreement previously reached during the Council of Interior Ministers of the Union, held on 8 June.
The Council meeting focused on the Pact on Immigration and Asylum, which foresees that Member States will choose between relocating on their territory a portion of migrants from countries of first entry such as Italy or, alternatively, in the event of refusal, a financial contribution of 20 thousand euros for each migrant who has not been relocated.
Among other points provided for in the agreement, there is also the possibility for each state to reach agreements for repatriations with "third countries", in addition to more stringent measures relating to reception procedures.
Despite the insistent attempts of Prime Minister Meloni to find a mediation that satisfies everyone and although there was a favorable opinion from 25 member countries, Hungary and Poland expressed an opposing opinion, preventing the achievement of a unanimous agreement.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has expressed his intention and that of other European countries to try to find an agreement by the 2024 European elections at the latest.
Marcus Barbatus
Article published on 30 June 2023 - 19:42
