Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel headed to Brussels today along with other Heads of State or Government to attend an extraordinarily-convened informal meeting following a letter sent out to European Council members from President Donald Tusk on 18 September 2015.
In the letter, Donald Tusk emphasised the urgency of the refugee crisis, citing it as "a test of our humanity and responsibility" and stating "I have no illusions that Europe will need to deal with this challenge for many years to come".
The President therefore invited Council members to join him at the meeting, saying "for too long our discussions have centred around shifting the responsibility onto others. There is a long list of issues where we could blame one another but it will not help us in finding a common solution. Today we must absolutely work out policies that we can implement in order to help one another".
At the meeting, the Heads of State or Government will discuss the assistance to Member States most affected by the crisis and cooperation with the countries of the Western Balkans, as well as with Turkey and the neighbouring countries of Syria.
Discussions will also focus on the budgetary assistance to the United Nations High Commissioner for refugees and the World Food Programme, the latter of which Donald Tusk stated in his letter was an "issue which cannot wait".
As well as diplomative efforts to resolve the Syrian crisis, the Heads will also exchange views on the follow-up of their findings concerning return and readmission adopted on 25 and 26 June 2015.
The meeting will follow the extraordinary 'Justice and Home Affairs' Council which occurred yesterday, after which Luxembourg Minister of Immigration and Asylum and Chair of the Meeting, Jean Asselborn, reported that an agreement had been reached regarding the relocation of 120,000 people seeking international protection.
Photo by European People's Party/Wikimedia (Donald Tusk)
