EU ministers meet in Brussels as migration crisis spirals

European Union interior ministers are meeting in Brussels amid further warnings that the continued migration and refugee crisis is a serious threat to the bloc’s future. With temporary border controls now in place at a number of borders within the Schengen open border zone, a central pillar of the EU project - free movement - is already threatened. This week the Belgian authorities introduced checks on the western border with France amid concerns that migrants evicted from the “Jungle” camp in Calais may try to cross to ports in neighbouring Belgium.

These newest restrictive measures risk violating EU law and undermine efforts for a comprehensive and coordinated approach to deal with the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe.

Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras

A decision by a French judge later today will determine whether half of the camp can be demolished. Overnight, an estimated 1,000 migrants tried to enter the Channel Tunnel secure zone in the latest mass-attempt to gain access to trains to the UK. The ministers are meeting as the crisis spirals on several fronts. In southern Europe, a growing backlog of refugees is building up on several borders; the consequence of unilateral decisions to restrict migrant flows by several countries. Earlier this week, Macedonia introduced measures on its southern border with Greece to prevent Afghan nationals from crossing. Only people from Syria and Iraq are currently allowed to cross. The move has caused tension and scuffles on the Greek side of the border. It follows earlier decisions by Austria and Slovenia to put a cap on the numbers of migrants it is willing to allow in.

From now on, Greece will not agree to deals if we do not secure the mandatory sharing of the burden and responsibility proportionally among member states.

Greek Prime Minister, Alexis Tsipras

EU MIGRANTS