EU summit convenes to discuss migration, trade, Russia

A two-day European Union (EU) summit kicked off on Thursday, mainly to address the migration crisis, seek solutions to trade-related issues, and ties with Russia.

On the eastern Mediterranean route, the bloc saw a 98 percent drop in irregular migrants between September last year and this year while on the central Mediterranean route, arrivals were at the same level as in 2014 and 2015.

The EU has increased efforts in helping third countries take their citizens back. By June this year, twice as many irregular migrants as in the whole of 2015 had been returned. Additionally, the EU recently concluded an agreement with Afghanistan, allowing for more efficient cooperation on migration.

"European leaders should focus more particularly on the work done with countries of origin and transit in Africa," European Council President Donald Tusk said in his invitation letter to member states.

Concern trade issues, the summit is expected to further push forward approvals from member states on an agreement with Canada, after EU governments two days ago failed to clinch such a deal at a meeting in Luxembourg as Belgium, Bulgaria and Romania still had reservations.

The summit will discuss modernization of its trade defense instruments.

European leaders will also hold a policy debate on Russia, including its role in Syria.

"The objective is to address our overall, long-term relations with this important neighbor," said Tusk in his letter. Endit