Appearances are preserved. After tough negotiations, European leaders were able to announce that an agreement was indeed reached.
For the first time, a better sharing of the migration burden seems to be emerging.
Italy, which was demanding concessions on the migration issue, received vague commitments: the creation of centers in Europe to differentiate between irregular migrants and “legitimate” asylum seekers, without any country openly declaring readiness to host these centers…
It is only at that point that Italy will truly be able to say it is no longer alone.
In the longer term, migrant landing centers will be established outside the European Union – understand in Africa – if some will accept them, as for now, Morocco and Tunisia have said no.
NGOs are also requested to allow Libyan coastguards to operate near the country’s shores.
