The President of the European Council Donald Tusk has stressed that the EU summit`s objective is “to agree on a further strengthening of our cooperation with Turkey” and revealed that he expects “difficult talks, as the negotiations intensify.”
Speaking at a joint press conference, in Brussels, with Ukrainian President Petro Poroskenko, he recalled the three basic principles that will guide the leaders.
He reiterated that first and foremost “the agreement must be acceptable to all 28 Member States, no matter big or small”.
He also mentioned that the agreement must fully comply with EU and international law and third it must effectively help to solve the migration crisis and contribute to the EU`s comprehensive strategy, which includes getting back to Schengen, ending the wave-through policy, humanitarian assistance to Greece, support to the Western Balkans and the reinforced cooperation with Turkey.
“I am cautiously optimistic, but frankly speaking more cautious than optimistic”, he said.
CNA/THA/MM/2016