Refugees: The summit of many words and no plans

[unhappycamper]

http://www.dw.com/en/the-summit-of-many-words-and-no-plans/a-18740247

EU interior ministers have been quarreling, but the heads of their countries are now more conciliatory. They aim to combat the cause of the refugee crisis with money and great ideas. Barbara Wesel reports from Brussels.

Refugees: The summit of many words and no plans
Barbara Wesel
24.09.2015

EU leaders discussed the refugee crisis for seven hours without resolving the fundamental conflict between the eastern and western European countries with regard to the distribution of asylum seekers.

They simply avoided the bone of contention - no one spoke about the distribution of refugees throughout Europe. "The climate was constructive," emphasized German Chancellor Angela Merkel, also noting that delegates agreed that the challenges can only be met together. She kept repeating how important and productive the summit with her European counterparts was. No wonder - she had insisted that they all convene.

Little agreement, lots of money

The actual outcome was impressive on a financial level: EU states plan to spend two billion euros to improve the care of the mainly Syrian refugees in Syria's neighboring countries. Half of the money will be paid to the World Food Program and the United Nations Refugee Agency, both of which have been complaining for months about acute financial difficulties. The other billion is primarily intended for Turkey, and some other millions of dollars for Lebanon and Jordan - Syria's neighbors, who have been hosting more than four million Syrian refugees in refugee camps along their borders.

The situation must be improved so people are not motivated to travel to Europe, said the German Chancellor. Turkey is a very important partner, especially with regard to the protection of EU's external borders.