Poland and Hungary continue to block European plans for migration policy in the European Union. During the EU summit in Brussels, government leaders and heads of state discussed previous plans, but both countries have so far refused to agree to them. “That’s fine, but making decisions is like making sausages. The situation will always be messy,” said Prime Minister Rutte after the first day of the summit.

The prime ministers of both former Eastern Bloc countries have argued that recently concluded agreements regarding, among other things, the reception of asylum seekers at Europe’s external borders and the expropriation of asylum seekers are unacceptable.

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Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki completely rejected the agreement. He does not want to accept asylum seekers and wants a new agreement to close Poland’s borders with a fence that would have to be paid for by Brussels. Warsaw wants to include in its conclusions that EU countries have the right to pursue their own migration policies and determine who they accept on their territory.

“They actually announced this three weeks ago,” says FD’s Europe correspondent Ria Cats. Then, for the first time in seven years, Member States succeeded in reaching an agreement on migration. It was then decided, among other things, that all EU countries would assist with migration policy.

Assistance or payment

‘For example, traditional arrival countries such as Italy and Greece can transfer asylum seekers to other countries if their numbers become too full. They can also pay for it by transferring 20,000 euros for each asylum seeker not admitted to the country in question.’ Other assistance options include sending border control assistance or sending tents.

But Poland and Hungary are unwilling to accept asylum seekers or offer them any help. “They didn’t want to agree at all and instead said that topics like this should be decided unanimously,” Cats said. However, there is no majority that supports this position. “They’re drowning.” The intention is that the migration plan will be discussed further today.

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Tunis

A previous migration deal with Tunisia is also expected to be finalized at the EU summit in Brussels. “But Tunisia said this week that they are not ready,” Cats said. The intention is that the European Commissioner will travel to the country this week to finalize the deal so that it can be presented today. ‘But the trip was canceled at the last minute. Tunisia has indicated that civil servants will be on holiday this week due to the sacrificial festival. Tunisia won’t jump.’

According to several diplomats, the necessary documents were sent to the country on time. It’s not clear why Tunisia isn’t willing to agree yet, Cats said.

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Really positive

In contrast, Prime Minister Rutte predicted a migration deal with Tunisia could still be finalized next week. Tunisia aims to take back failed asylum seekers and illegal migrants in exchange for economic aid, energy and border security. “And that includes a bag of money.”