Brexit and migration should dominate the next EU Summit

Migration should be the main topic on the agenda during the meeting of EU heads of state or government on 18 October, said Minister Juliane Bogner-Strauß, representing the Austrian Presidency of the Council of the European Union during a debate in the European Parliament.

However, the European Parliament’s political group leaders mostly focused on Brexit, during the debate on the EU summit. Many supported the EU’s position on the future border between Ireland and the United Kingdom, put forward by European Commission President, Jean-Claude Juncker.

But many MEPs criticised the lack of unity among member states on migration and the Austrian presidency’s inaction on asylum reform and social policies. MEPs also questioned the presidency’s stance on the application of Article 7 of the Treaty (on the rule of law) against Hungary and Poland.