European leaders meet amid tensions over Ukraine, migration
European leaders are gathering in Spain to reiterate their support for Ukraine as infighting in Washington throws the United States's commitment into question. On Friday, European Union member states will meet to discuss enlargement – including Ukraine’s inclusion in the EU – as well as migration.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy travelled to Granada, Spain, on Thursday to address the summit of the European Political Community.
The EPC is a forum set up last year by French President Emmanuel Macron, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, to foster cooperation among the EU's 27 members and the 20 surrounding countries.
"The main challenge is to save unity in Europe not only in the EU, but in all of Europe," Zelensky said.
European leaders are meeting to reassure Ukraine – and Zelensky – of their long-term support, after fears that infighting in the US Congress could slow or halt aid to Ukraine.
Azerbaijan skips summit
EU officials had hoped the summit would also bring about what would have been the first face-to-face meeting between leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia since Baku captured Nagorno-Karabakh from ethnic Armenian rebels last month
But Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev said he would not attend because of "pro-Armenian statements by French officials" and because France has said it plans to deliver military equipment to Yerevan.
Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who is close to Aliyev, and is a key figure in diplomacy surrounding Ukraine, was also not attending the summit.
On Friday, leaders of the 27 EU member states will meet – also informally – to discuss reforms to pave the way for the eventual integration of Ukraine, as well as Moldova and six Balkan countries.
Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who opened the Grenada meeting, said Spain was open to the enlargement, even if it would pose many internal challenges.
Migration
Another issue on the table is immigration, with rising numbers of people arriving in the EU.
Tunisian President Kais Saied on Monday rejected a deal brokered by Italy under which it would receive EU economic aid in exchange for holding back migrants.
On Wednesday EU member countries agreed an outline migration reform package to better share responsibility inside the bloc for undocumented migrants and to accelerate deportations.
But for Italy and non-EU member Britain, who both have migrants arriving by sea, the reform does not go far enough.
British Prime Minister Richi Sunak and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will chair a side meeting at the EPC to discuss "joint action" against what Sunak's office called "organised immigration crime".
No formal decisions are expected to be made at either summit in Granada.
(with newswires)
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