The state of Brexit negotiations and hotly debated policies on migration and relations with Turkey are to take centre stage as the leaders of the European Union on Thursday begin a two-day summit in Brussels.
Britain is seeking an agreement from the leaders of the 27 other EU member states to start negotiations over a future relationship with the bloc during the summit.
However, it is all but certain that they will not get the go-ahead due to lack of sufficient progress in the talks.
Instead, leaders are expected to approve the start of internal preparatory talks, with view to being able to approve the start of actual negotiations during an upcoming summit in December.
EU leaders will also take stock of measures to stop illegal migration, and discuss ways to reform the common European asylum system.
Migration is still one of the bloc’s most sensitive issues since the height of a refugee crisis two years ago.
Eroding diplomatic relations with Turkey, the growing threat by North Korea and U.S. President Donald Trump’s wavering support for the international nuclear deal with Iran will be discussed during a working dinner on Thursday evening.
The summit will also delve into a so-called leader’ agenda written by European Council President, Donald Tusk, outlining the main issues to be tackled by leaders between now and June 2019. (dpa/NAN)