Politics
(Brussels) The European Council resumes its work today after the approval, in its first session yesterday, of the “Conclusions” on migration and external relations. Yet the two documents are anything but “conclusive”: they contain statements of principle often highlighting divergent views between the governments of Member States. The focus of debate is on Syria, ISIS and Russia; the reception of migrants; trade relations; and Brexit. The Summit is scheduled to end at about midday with the press conferences of the presidency (Donald Tusk) and national leaders. The Conclusions on external relations read: “The European Council strongly condemns the attacks by the Syrian regime and its allies, notably Russia, on civilians in Aleppo. It calls on them to bring the atrocities to an end and to take urgent steps to ensure unhindered humanitarian access to Aleppo and other parts of the country”. The European Council “calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for resumption of a credible political process under UN auspices”. The EU “is considering all available options, should the current atrocities continue”. The 28 leaders are still divided over which steps should be taken to tackle migration, while they mostly agree on speeding up the negotiations for Britain’s exit from the EU.
