Greece threatens not to sign off on EU summit conclussions over migration, Brexit
Greece has threatened not to sign off on the final conclusions of an EU summit on migration and Britain’s membership, holding out for assurances EU states will not shut borders over the migrant crisis, government officials said on Friday.
“We can’t agree unless there is a clear statement in the conclusions that there won’t be any unilateral (migrant) action until the next summit. No borders should close until then,” one of the officials told Reuters.
Although not related to the issue of Britain’s renegotiation of its terms with the EU – a move ahead of a referendum on whether Britain stays in – the Greek move could complicate an already delicate situation.
The official said Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras has been given assurances by Germany and France that they would support his position on migrants. Other countries have expressed differences, however.
On the eve of the summit, Austria infuriated European Union peers by insisting on capping the number of migrants it takes in, undermining Germany’s push to seek a joint EU solution to the bloc’s refugee crisis in tandem with Turkey.
Austria’s move to tighter border controls has been seconded by Slovenia, which plans similar policies in solidarity.
