Difficult first steps for Breckit in Brussels

It will also bring to an end the "tragic situation" as European Council President Donald Tusk has identified the drowning of thousands of people trying to reach the coast of Italy. After the first day of the meeting, it became clear. The decision to establish a European system of defense cooperation between the parties. This will allow optimization of the development and purchase of military equipment between countries. "Within three months, member states will form a common set of criteria and obligations and will offer a specific project in the field of development and production (of defense equipment) so as to incorporate this interaction into real life," Tusk said.

The final decisions also confirm the completion of the plan for the relocation of refugees by quota in European countries. The plan was approved at the end of 2015. And its purpose is to take away the tensions over the main host countries Greece and Italy. However, its implementation slowed down and a small proportion of the 160,000 originally planned was allocated. Some countries, such as Hungary, Poland, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, are boycotting the plan, despite the constant threats posed by the EC to be sanctioned. France and Germany continue to insist on the implementation of quotas and the operation of a permanent European redistribution mechanism.

"This common challenge requires common answers and we must accept refugees because this is our tradition and honor," said French President Emmanuel Macron during a joint press conference with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The meeting also became the ground for the first difficult steps in the Breckitt talks. Yesterday, British Prime Minister Theresa May presented to her colleagues her proposal for the status of EU citizens who remain in the UK after leaving the union. At present, European immigrants on the Island are over 3 million, and more than 1 million are Britons on the continent itself. The idea of ​​a future agreement on the subject is to guarantee the rights of both groups of people. According to May's proposal. Any Europeans who entered her country before the formal departure of the EU in about two years will be granted the right to apply for a nationality. This right is acquired after 5 years of residence in the UK. At least 5 years after leaving, EU immigrants will be entitled to the same pensions and social benefits as the British.

"I have to assure all those EU citizens who are in the UK who have arranged their lives and home in the UK that no one will have to leave, we do not want separated families," May said after presenting the proposals. In reality, however, many of the details of this policy are yet to be discussed.

According to some of the European leaders, the proposal still does not guarantee the rights of immigrants in the UK.

"This is a step but this step is not satisfactory," said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.

"We have a long way to go," said German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Some leaders, such as Austrian Prime Minister Christian Kern and his Polish counterpart, Beata Shidlo, identified the proposals as "a good start," but expect more completeness to be achieved in the future.