We must protect Europe’s borders

It was a scattered summit that ended the Swedish presidency. But one issue fueling the debate is migration and the potential financial aid the EU should provide to countries outside the EU, such as Turkey and Tunisia, to help prevent migrants from reaching the EU.

– It is very important that we discuss how we will secure Europe’s borders as a precondition for having open internal borders. “I feel there is broad support today for such missions,” Prime Minister Ulf Kristerson (M) said on his way to the meeting.

When asked about the government’s approach to sending asylum seekers to a third country like Rwanda, as Britain and Denmark wanted to do, Christensen replied that it was not up for debate now, but that asylum checks should be done outside the EU.

– We have said that eventually we will get to the point where the asylum test will take place outside of Europe So we know that those entering Europe have received asylum. We cannot have a situation where many people enter Europe and then disappear.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on her way to the meeting that the EU must press for money to deal with immigration.

– We need money to solve this problem. Money that should not be spent on defense alone requires cooperation between Mediterranean and African countries in general. That’s what I work on – with strategic partnerships.

The meeting will also discuss further support for Ukraine and Ukraine’s path to the EU. On the way to the meeting, several leaders commented on the mutiny of the paramilitary Wagner group against Russian President Putin this weekend and what it means. NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said it was evidence of cracks in the Russian system. The EU’s foreign affairs chief, Joseph Borrell, said it would also put the rest of Europe at risk.

– It is clear that Putin will emerge from this crisis weakened. But a weak Putin is a risk. So we have to be vigilant.

Several leaders said it is now also important for the EU to monitor developments in Belarus, where Yevgeny Prigozhin, head of the Wagner Group, is currently based.

– We closely follow what is happening in BelarusEuropean Council President Charles Michel said.

Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said that what happened in Russia increases the need to support Ukraine.

– Doubling support to Ukraine is critical.