EU Bratislava summit: key moment for Europe

The EU summit will begin tomorrow in Bratislava, but some key issues have already appeared on the table: "We need to protect our external borders but we must take joint responsibility", is the statement released to press by the German Chancellor Angela Merkel after the meeting with French President François Hollande in Paris.

"We are impressed by the threats of terrorism, the challenge of migration with people fleeing from civil wars or the 'Islamic state' or economic problems, as many refugees from Africa – Merkel added – we must make sure to work in inclusive way. All 27 Member States must decide together. "

 "We must be able to protect our external borders and this must be the shared responsibility," stressed the Chancellor. At the same time Merkel stressed that the EU is "in a key moment of its existence" and must "curb the concerns of its population to remain a continent of hope."

While Francois Hollande said: “I believe we must be clear about the situation in Europe. As I have often recalled, this is not one more crisis, it could be the crisis of its existence, its very foundations. That is why we must have in mind to give to Europeans a clear vision of what can be and what will be their future”.

Bratislava will host the leaders of all EU-member states excluding British Prime Minister Theresa May.