EU leaders claim unity regained, pledge Syria aid

BRUSSELS—European Union (EU) leaders pledged at least 1 billion euros ($1.1 billion) for Syrian refugees in the Middle East and closer cooperation to stem migrant flows into Europe at a summit described as less tense than feared after weeks of feuding.

European Council President Donald Tusk said the meeting, which ended early on Thursday after seven hours of talks in Brussels, was “really excellent ... much better than we expected.”

He heard “very substantial and energetic” exchanges between the Austrian and Hungarian leaders, whose common border was among those disrupted by chaotic crowds of migrants this summer, but not the mutual recrimination that threatened to tear apart the bloc’s cherished passport-free Schengen zone.

“Today’s meeting and this atmosphere are a very positive sign,” said Tusk, a former prime minister of Poland. “It’s quite a symbolic moment for me as it’s clear we have stopped this risky blame game.”

German Chancellor Angela Merkel, criticized by some eastern neighbors for what they saw as actions that fueled the influx of people trying to reach Germany, voiced her satisfaction.

“We know that the problem is not solved with the decision taken. But we have taken one of many necessary steps. I got the feeling that we want to tackle this task together,” Merkel said.

Held at short notice after governments fell out badly over a scheme to share out responsibilities for asylumseekers around the EU, the summit car- ried political rather than legal weight.

“We can only manage this challenge by working together in a spirit of solidarity and responsibility,” according to a joint statement issued by the leaders.

During the summit, the EU leaders also agreed to offer at least 1 billion euros more to the UN refugee agency UNHCR, the World Food Programme, and other aid agencies. It would also increase aid funding for Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan, Lebanon and other countries—part of a broad push to ease factors driving Syrians to Europe.

“It is close to the scene of the tragedy that the refugees must be kept, welcomed, supported,” said French President Francois Hollande.

AP EUROPEAN Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker (left) and European Council President Donald Tusk tell members of the media that the European Union will boost aid to international agencies helping refugees in Syria and nearby countries.