EU officials have reiterated their call for governments to stump up the cash they pledged last month to help refugees. The European Commission, the
ADVERTISEMENTEU officials have reiterated their call for governments to stump up the cash they pledged last month to help refugees.
The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, says members states need to keep their word.
“I will, today, as i did yesterday in the (European)parliament, insist on member states to deliver on what they promised on the 23rd September here in Brussels. on the side of the member states we lack 2.2 billion euros, and i will ask very clearly for those 2.2 billion euros,” said Jean-Claude Juncker, the head of the European Commission.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that there needs to be better protection of the EU’s borders.
“It’s very clear that in this moment some countries have many refugees. and if these countries also should provide the staff for external border protection. I don’t think that would be what you understand by a fair distribution of the burden,” said Merkel.
Meanwhile, Britain’s prime minister vowed to unveil his demands for EU reform soon.
“I’ll be again setting out the 4 vital areas where we need change, laying down what those changes will be at the start of November, so we quicken the pace and we quicken the negotiations in the run-up to the December council. but i’m confident we can get a good deal for Britain, we can fix those things that need to be fixed.”
Diplomatic sources say they don’t expect major decisions from this meeting, euronews correspondent Sandor Zsiros reports
The talks have also been shortened, our correspondent says. Instead of the traditional two-day format the negotiations will end tonight.