Fico: EU Summit Delivered More Coherent Stance on Middle East Crisis

Brussels, October 18 (TASR-correspondent) - EU leaders managed to take a more coherent stance on the Middle East crisis and focused intensively on migration issues at the EU summit in Brussels on Thursday, Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) reported on Friday. The prime minister noted that in addition to Ukraine, the leaders also dealt with the developments in the Middle East and the largest part of the talks was devoted to issues of irregular migration, although legal migration is increasingly being discussed in the EU as well. Fico expressed regret that ceasefire and truce aren't discussed when it comes to Ukraine, pointing to the fact the opposite was the case at the summit regarding the talks on the Middle East. However, he appreciated that the European Council has finally taken a more coherent position and is calling for a ceasefire and an end to the suffering in the region. According to Fico, optimistic statements were made during the summit that the recent killing of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar could lead to a ceasefire, negotiations and possibly the release of hostages. Fico cast doubt on such expectations. "There are opinions according to which, conversely, there may be a further escalation of tensions. We see today what is happening in Lebanon and in neighbouring countries," the prime minister remarked. The premier noted that he perceives diametrically opposed views among EU member states regarding the relationship with Palestine and the relationship with Israel, which limits the European Council from adopting any serious and more fundamental conclusions. As for migration, Fico warned that the pressure of migrants could be greater before the coming winter. "If we do not protect the EU's external borders, it will be too late," the prime minister said, welcoming an Italian initiative to move asylum seekers out of the EU, which he sees as a possible way to deal with the migratory pressure. He also supported the efforts of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, who at the summit called for some exceptions to EU asylum rules. zel/mcs