Leaders from the 28 member states of the European Union (EU) on Friday wrapped up a two-day summit in Brussels, seeking to stem flows of irregular migrants, settle a stalled trade deal with Canada, and mount pressure on Russia.
CURBING FLOW OF MIGRANTS
At the first session of the summit, the leaders' discussion focused in particular on external border controls and deals with African countries to reduce the number of illegal migrants.
Hailing the entry into force of the European Border and Coast Guard Regulation on Oct. 6, the EU countries committed themselves to continuing to deploy staff and equipment to the new institution.
In a concluding document of the discussion, the leaders called for "a swift adoption" of a revised Schengen Borders Code to enforce systematic controls on all travelers crossing EU external borders.
Meanwhile, the leaders asked the EU executive body to come up with a proposal for setting up a European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) to allow for advance security checks on visa-exempt travelers and deny them entry where necessary.
Furthermore, the EU leaders pressed for quicker progress from deals with African countries to reduce the number of irregular migrants, increase returns and try to solve the "root causes" of migration.
The central Mediterranean has once again become the main crossing point for illegal migrants from Africa. More than 115,000 people arrived in Italy by boat in the first eight months of 2016, remaining at the same level as in 2014 and 2015, European Council President Donald Tusk told the press after the first day of the summit.
After accessing the so-called "migration compacts" set up between the EU and five African countries, namely Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Ethiopia, the EU leaders agreed to wait until the next summit in December to decide whether to extend it to other countries.
Thanks to the migration deal between the EU and Turkey, the influx of irregular migrants crossing the Aegean Sea to Greece has dropped 98 percent in September compared with last year. Meanwhile, twice as many irregular migrants had already been returned compared to all of 2015, Tusk said.
As to the controversial relocation and resettlement schemes, divergence among the EU countries persists and member states are urged to quickly implement the existing schemes.
SETTLING TRADE DEAL WITH CANADA
Leaders from the 28 member states of the bloc were expected to reach an agreement on approving the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) on the second day of the EU summit. However, due to continued opposition from a region of Belgium, the deal has been thrown into disarray.
"I hope that we will be able to see an agreed settlement in a few days, with the Wallonians, our friends," European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker told a press conference after the second day of the EU summit.
The Belgian region of Wallonia is blocking the ratification of the deal over social and environmental concerns.
According to local media, Wallonia was still resisting pressure to back the EU-Canada trade deal on Friday morning. The region's leader Paul Magnette said "difficulties remain" for the region to sign the deal.
The French-speaking area in southern Belgium fears local workers will be laid off if the agreement leads to cheaper farming and industrial imports.
Juncker said Wallonia's problem with CETA is "not technical or substantial but political." He expressed hope to find a solution in the coming few days as he called CETA "the best trade agreement" the EU has ever negotiated.
The trade deal with Canada could be the bloc's last free trade agreement if it fails, warned European Council President Donald Tusk.
Encouragingly, Romania dropped its opposition to the deal during the summit after securing visa-free access to Canada for its citizens, which starts from Dec. 1, 2017.
"We are in a position to withdraw our reservations against CETA," Romanian President Klaus Johannis said Friday in Brussels.
The EU-Canada free trade deal was reached in August 2014 after five years of negotiations, aiming to eliminate 98 percent of tariffs between the two sides.
MOUNTING PRESSURE ON RUSSIA
The EU leaders on Friday "held a strategic policy debate on relations with Russia," according to a summary document released after the first day's meeting.
Accusing Russia's strategy of attempting to weaken the EU, Tusk told a news conference that the EU and its member states will continue in their efforts to put pressure on Russia.
As to the situation in the war-torn Aleppo, the EU leaders called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for a resumption of a credible political process under UN auspices.
"Everything should be done to extend the ceasefire, bring in humanitarian aid to the civilian population and create the conditions for opening negotiations on a political transition in Syria," the document said.
However, the EU warned of the need to consider "all available options" should the situation not improved.
Russia and Syria on Monday announced a humanitarian truce from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. local time (0600 GMT to 1400 GMT) on Thursday in rebel-held areas of Aleppo, but decided on Wednesday to extend it for another three hours.
The ceasefire is aimed at ensuring the safe exit of civilians via humanitarian corridors and the evacuation of the wounded and sick.
看视频治百病 创业公司在印度的健康教育运动
命不该绝 车手两次躲过马航空难
196本书带你看世界
男士健身指南 如何炼成迷人的6块腹肌
做自己!水手服爷爷美国走红获CNN报道
坠毁马航事故还原:被击瞬间粉碎
碧昂斯将分手 与Jay Z婚姻亮红灯
荷兰旅客平静应对MH17航班坠机事故
八方修炼:时间管理的职场学问
恋爱大过天:有前女友的男性更得女性青睐
让你更健康快乐的九件小事
世界最长恐龙粪便化石 拍价1万美元
高尔夫与职场:球场上的商务智慧
想要大脑永远年轻? 那就学外语吧
英艺术家孕妇肚皮上涂鸦纪念美好过程
世界上最大墓地 1400年埋葬500万人
美国闪电娃:奇迹生还头发直立不倒
天价中国圣杯 鸡缸杯2.8亿创纪录
老外看中国:中国女友10大抱怨
黑幕:肯德基麦当劳过期肉暗访纪实
错过马航 英一家三口躲过一劫
太平洋惊现垃圾岛 漂流塑料成礁岩
被击落的民航 细数历史上人为空难
能拍照会思考:美国萌系智能机器人
日本推带泡脚池度假列车 乘客边坐火车边泡脚
组建团队挑人时 你会被选中吗
网络小说作家的大银幕之梦
主人逝世遭遗弃 小狗守候苦等1年
想减肥吗?科学家发现肥胖的根源!
科学发现:声音低沉的男生最爱你
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |