After the first day of the EU summit revolved around the war in the Middle East, today the focus is on two long-standing controversial topics: the struggle over migration policy and the EU’s financial resources.
In the morning, EU Council President Charles Michel was visibly satisfied. There was a lot of agreement in a very important debate. That is the strength of the European Union.
After lengthy discussions, EU leaders agreed on a joint statement calling for humanitarian corridors and pauses in Israel’s fight against the militant Islamist Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
There will also be an international peace conference. An initiative that goes back to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. Spain proposes that this should take place within the next six months. Because the Palestine question can only be solved together, says Sánchez, a two-state solution is needed. Israel is recognized as a state by the international community – and this must also be the case for the Palestinian people.
Spain’s Prime Minister may want to continue a tradition with his proposal. Madrid had already hosted a peace conference on the Middle East in 1991.
More money from donor countries?
An important item on the agenda on the second day of the summit will be questions about the EU budget and the EU Commission’s desire for member states to contribute money. However, donor countries, including Germany, reject additional billions. They want the EU Commission to look for ways to save money on its spending.
In this context, it is also about the further financing of Ukraine. The focus is on an aid package worth 50 billion euros, which is rejected by Hungary and Slovakia. Budapest wants to blackmail the release of frozen EU funds. The Slovakian Robert Fico, who celebrated his comeback in Brussels on Thursday after his re-election, cited corruption concerns in Ukraine as the reason for his rejection.
More cooperation in asylum policy?
Migration issues are also on the agenda. One of the most important issues, and not just for Belgium’s Prime Minister Alexander De Croo. Migration is an important debate, he emphasized. It is a difficult problem for Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as for the countries on the EU’s external borders.
“I am very grateful that things are now moving forward with the help of the EU Commission and that concrete proposals are on the table – for example for more returns,” De Croo continued: “We have an obligation to give asylum to people who need this protection. But that means that the countries of origin take back people who are not in need of protection.”
The EU will therefore discuss how cooperation with countries of origin and transit could be improved. Some countries, such as Italy, are also pushing for additional spending to combat irregular migration.
Money will also be at stake at the Euro countries summit, which is also taking place. The focus is on questions about the financial policy situation in Europe and specific questions, for example in connection with the digital euro.