Amid the French-Italian controversy over migrants, Brussels wants to combat illegal migration in the Central Mediterranean with a new action plan. However, the greater challenge is bound to be what is probably the most active migratory route in Europe – the Western Balkans.
The EU’s Vice-President Frans Timmermans has shown disappointment about the results of the COP27 in Sharm el Sheikh. The British government denies reports about seeking closer ties with Brussels. The EU’s foreign policy chief Josep Borrell has called an emergency meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Albin Kurti, Prime Minister of Kosovo, over the license plate crisis, and Croatia is worried that Austria won’t agree to its Schengen access.
The EU member states have reportedly agreed to establish training programs for Ukrainian forces. Furthermore, MEPs discuss expanding the Schengen zone, the EU supports Bosnia and Herzegovina in dealing with irregular migration, border security, and human trafficking. And a plan for a “gas price corridor” has been drafted by four EU countries.
Fears of high energy bills for households have led EU energy ministers to agree on windfall levies on energy companies. Later this week two strategic summits will take place in Prague: the first will be held together with 17 non-EU nations, followed by an informal summit to discuss the war in Ukraine.