Just before 01:30 [σ.σ. ώρα Βρυξελλών· 02:30 ώρα Ελλάδας] the first day of the Summit is over.

Leaders were negotiating on immigration from 17:30, with Hungary and Poland blocking conclusions on the issue until the end of the first day of the European Council.

Leaders will meet again at 09:30 [τοπική ώρα· 10:30 ώρα Ελλάδας]with immigration once again on the table, while China and the economy will also be discussed.

Poland and Hungary demand a review of the reform of asylum rules

Poland, backed by Hungary, is demanding that the planned reform of asylum rules be reviewed at the summit underway in Brussels.

Under the proposed reform, all Member States would have to receive asylum seekers arriving at the external borders of the European Union. Countries that do not want to accept refugees and immigrants should pay monetary reparations.

Poland, which like Hungary did not support the proposal three weeks ago but abstained, now demands that the reception of asylum seekers be done on a voluntary basis, according to documents seen by the German Agency.

Hungary also expressed its opposition to the reform ahead of the European Council.

An adviser to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said late Thursday via Twitter that “the Polish-Hungarian duo is fighting and resisting together.”

What does the draft conclusions say?

In the draft conclusions there are two paragraphs concerning immigration.

It is reported that the European Council expresses its deep sorrow at the terrible loss of life as a result of the recent tragedy in the Mediterranean. The European Union remains committed to dismantling the business model of smugglers, including instrumentalisation, and tackling the root causes of irregular migration to better manage migration flows and prevent people from embarking on such dangerous journeys, it added.

Furthermore, it is pointed out that immigration is a European challenge that requires a European response.

The European Council reviewed the migration situation at the EU’s external borders and within the EU in a comprehensive way and noted the work undertaken so far in a European response.

The Council presidency and the Commission informed the European Council of steady progress in the implementation of its conclusions of 9 February 2023, with a focus on the external aspects of migration and their financing mechanisms.

Following the Commission’s recent letter, and based on progress so far, the European Council calls for intensified work in all areas of action, along all migration routes, in accordance with international law.

The presidency calls on the Council and the Commission to continue to closely monitor and ensure the implementation of its conclusions and to submit relevant reports. It invites the Commission to continue working on the elements contained in its letter. The European Council will continue to consider these works.