EU-Africa summit on migration crisis opens in Malta
(VALLETTA) - European Union and African leaders on Wednesday began a two-day summit in Malta aimed at agreeing a joint strategy to tackle the migration crisis.
The EU plans to offer increased aid to African countries in return for their help in stemming the unprecedented flow of migrants and refugees to Europe, including accelerated repatriation of those deemed to be economic migrants.
The summit in Valletta was called after nearly 800 people died in April in a shipwreck in waters south of Malta after being crammed onboard by people smugglers.
Nearly 800,000 migrants have reached Europe this year, just under a quarter of them from Africa, and more than 3,400 people have died in the attempt.
The EU's executive arm, the European Commission, has earmarked 1.8 billion euros ($1.9 billion) for projects designed to address the root causes of the extraordinary migrant flows and is asking the bloc's 28 member states to match that commitment.
Some new pledges are expected here but EU officials acknowledge it may take a long time for the target to be met amid misgivings about how effectively the money will be used.
The leaders are due to approve a plan of action and a common statement on the issues on Thursday, when the summit wraps up after lunch.
European Union leaders will then hold a meeting of their own which will focus on fostering better cooperation with Turkey to try and reduce the numbers of refugees using the country as a launchpad for trips to Europe via Greece and the Balkans, now the main migrant route.