EU tries to get political backing for disembarkation platforms at crunch summit

Divided leaders will try to agree new migration approach amid fault lines threatening future of bloc

As the Commission sets out proposals to solve the migration crisis, EU Migration Commissioner Dimitris Avramopoulos insisted that the solutions being discussed by European leaders were not the same as "Guantanamo Bay for migrants", which he said would be against European values.

A flurry of diplomatic activity in recent days has resulted in the announcement of an emergency "informal meeting" on migration ahead of the European Council Summit later this month. Leaders of countries on the front line of Europe's migration crisis will be participating.

A draft paper leaked in advance of this month's EU summit reveals that European leaders will consider plans to establish "disembarkation platforms" in North Africa in order to process asylum applications before migrants reach Europe.

Summit reiterated objectives set 15 years ago, and reaffirmed determination to bring the Balkans into the EU family, but the post-summit press conference ranged further afield, to transatlantic relations, and Iran.

European Council President Donald Tusk put the US President at the top of the agenda, critcising his recent decision-making on the Iran nuclear deal and import trade tariffs.

In this edition of State of the Union, the UK-Russia war of words reaches fever pitch in the wake of the poisoning of a former spy in England and

European Council President repeats there can be no "cherry-picking" after meeting of EU leaders in Brussels

Countries are divided on increasing future spending, after Brexit leaves hole

EU leaders gather in Brussels to discuss the future face of EU, post-Brexit

In this edition of the Brief from Brussels: EU leaders gather for informal summit to talk cash and top jobs; and MEPs back draft law to harmonise

This is State of the Union, euronews' weekly roundup of the big stories and the big issues facing the EU-28 over the past seven days.

Macron and Merkel's performances at EU summit present much more than merely a united front.

European leaders are meeting in Brussels for a two-day EU summit. Top of the agenda: defense, Brexit, and migration

European Parliament pushes for Brexit breakthrough deal to become legally binding