EU to increase resources for rescue operations

World Today

The EU has decided to increase its funding and resources for migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean from North Africa.
CCTV’s Jack Barton filed this report from Brussels.

Highlights:

  • European leaders began their emergency summit in Brussels with a minute of silence for the more than 1000 people believed to have died attempting to cross the Mediterranean from Africa to Europe over the past week.
  • Leaders agreed that eliminating smuggling gangs would be a priority.
  • There was also an agreement to triple funding for the bloc’s Triton air and sea surveillance operation.
  • An agreement was reached to repatriate asylum seekers who fail to qualify for refugee status and to work more closely with nations of origin to stop migration flows.