EU summit clouded by Russian action in Syria and opposition to CETA

The two-day EU summit, starting today in Brussels, will have to deal with several sensitive issues, European media report. Indeed, Les Echos writes that the summit, which was initially supposed to be consensual and avoid any divisive issues, is clouded by the escalating crisis in Syria and the controversy over the CETA agreement.

In Hungary, Magyar Idők reports that the migration crisis is the central issue at the two-day EU summit starting today in Brussels. In his invitation, European Council President Donald Tusk writes that the system of returning irregular migrants to their home countries is functional, as a result of increased EU efforts and agreements with partner states. The first migration agreements are scheduled with Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Mali and Ethiopia, Tageblatt indicates.

With regard to progress on the migration crisis, Die Welt quotes High Representative and Vice-President Mogherini saying: “In the past few months more has been achieved, than in the years before.” Moreover, Magyar Idők and Magyar Nemzet quote European Council President Tusk stating that the “increased efforts” of the EU and the agreement with Turkey resulted in a significant drop in the number of illegal migrants in Greece.

However, the progress made on the migration front is being clouded by a critical situation in Syria. In Die Welt, Christoph B. Schiltz and Andre Tauber report that the EU follows a two-fold strategy with regard to Moscow: pressure and dialogue.

European Commissioner Günther Oettinger told Die Welt that “one should not exclude further sanctions [against Moscow].” There must be consequences to war crimes against civilians in Aleppo, he further said. EU leaders plan to “strongly condemn” during the summit for its alleged attacks on civilians in Syria’s Aleppo, delfi.lv notes: “The European Council strongly condemns the attacks by the Syrian regime and its allies, notably Russia, on civilians in Aleppo,” said the draft, obtained by AFP. It calls “for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for resumption of a credible political process under UN auspices.”

In Estonia, Eesti Päevaleht remarks, that EU leaders will probably be unable to table new sanctions against Russia so fast, because important member states are not ready for that decision and because several high EU official tend to believe in Moscow’s good intentions. As recently stated by High Representative Vice-President and Vice-President Federica Mogherini, “it is important is that we avoid any escalation, that could lead to more dramatic scenarios”.

All eyes will also be on UK Prime Minister Theresa May, who will participate in the summit as “Ms Brexit”, Le Monde writes. “We are betting on tough discussions and we are ready for that,” a European diplomat is quoted as saying by the newspaper. British diplomats in Brussels have been pressing for preparatory talks before Ms May launches Article 50, but so far their efforts been rebuffed, The Guardian indicates. She will make a new attempt to agree on exploratory talks today in Brussels, during the first EU summit she will attend. But EU leaders seems to be set to refuse and stick to their guns, El País reports. EU diplomats insist the consensus on “no negotiations without notification” is intact.

Theresa May will tell her fellow EU leaders tonight in Brussels that Britain’s decision to leave is irreversible and there can be no second referendum on the issue, British media further report. Meanwhile, the Times reports that the PM will also take the opportunity to assure EU leaders, that she does not want to destroy the bloc, as she seeks to soften her rhetoric and appeal for goodwill on all sides.

Kathimerini further highlights that everyone’s attention will turn to the CETA agreement between the EU and Canada, which was expected to be closed at this summit. Wallonia’s refusal to ratify the CETA agreement is a major political issue, which is expected to weigh upon the workings of the European Council.
Finally, Kathimerini reports that Greek PM Alexis Tsipras is also determined to speak about the Greek debt issue with the main European protagonists at the summit.