Refugee issue dominates informal talks ahead of EU summit

France calls for penalties for countries rejecting migrants with proven asylum status

German NGO mission “Lifeline” with migrants rescued in international waters: Malta and Italy have  refused to let the vessel dock on their shores. Photograph: Hermine Poschmann

German NGO mission “Lifeline” with migrants rescued in international waters: Malta and Italy have refused to let the vessel dock on their shores. Photograph: Hermine Poschmann

As Italy and Malta again turned back a shipful of 239 rescued refugees, European leaders from 17 member states met on Sunday in Brussels hoping against hope to save both this week’s EU summit and the political skin of Germany’s leader.

The result of four hours of talks was largely inconclusive, diplomats said, setting the scene for difficult but potentially productive discussions at Thursday’s summit, according to Belgian prime minister Charles Michel.

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