thu 17 dec 2015, 10:22

Rutte ‘voortop’ EU in Brussels

BRUSSELS –

Prime minister Mark Rutte is Thursday morning present at the summit in Brussels prior to the EU summit of heads of government and heads of state. It was uncertain whether there would be because of the debate about the Teeven-deal, Wednesday night in the Second Room. The prime minister survived a motion of censure.

Photo: REUTERS

At the initial consultation phase at the Austrian embassy next to the German chancellor Angela Merkel and president of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker also countries such as Belgium, Sweden, Finland and Greece present. Also the Turkish prime minister Ahmet Davutoglu slide.

The leaders will discuss, among others, the proposal of Brussels on a voluntary basis, refugees who are now in Turkish refugee centres sit. Some EU countries are ready to do so to Turkey to meet if that country ensures that there are fewer refugees arrive in Europe.

Two weeks ago at an EU summit with Turkey a similar ‘minitop’ will be held. “It is meaningful to talk in a smaller circle of countries that have a common interest,” says a senior EU diplomat. “The broad feeling in this group is that with Turkey a process should be used where both parties get something out of it.”

Davutoglu would hear that he, within two months, the result should deliver. “Otherwise, there is a problem.”

The Austrian prime minister Werner Faymann has a number of 40,000 to 50,000 recognized refugees mentioned that Europe would be able to withdraw. Rutte wants to see that Turkey’s border is closed to keep before he about and take a position.