EU leaders disagree on migration rules
(VOVWORLD) - European Union leaders failed to reach a consensus on reform of the bloc's migration rules after Poland and Hungary refused to accept a recent deal stipulating that EU members should share out the number of refugees arriving in the bloc or pay a compensation of 20,000 Euro per migrant.
 Migrants crossing the Mediterranean for asylums in Europe (Photo: AFP/VNA) |
In a statement after the EU summit on Thursday and Friday in Brussel, the European Council's President Charles Michael said Poland's and Hungary's stance are acknowledged, but stressed that migration is a European challenge that requires a European response.
He noted that the EU remains committed to breaking the business model of traffickers and smuggling networks. Michel noted that the European Council expresses its profound sorrow for the terrible loss of life as a result of the recent tragedy in the Mediterranean, where migrants tried to cross the ocean to Europe to find a better life.