Many loose ends

brussels - Closed camps for migrants both inside and outside the EU. After a nightly marathon meeting, this must be the solution before the migration crisis. But there are so many loose ends that no one knows whether a result has actually been booked, or whether only some time has been bought.

'Emotional', said Prime Minister Rutte's sighs about the tone of the debate. 'Everything was difficult,' he says in the early morning, exhausted, when he takes stock after a heavy night. But there is satisfaction, because in the end it has succeeded 'to get out of it'.

But on Friday afternoon, after the end of day two of the European summit, it immediately becomes clear how vulnerable that 'together' is. Although everyone was at the table, no country seems willing to accept a relief camp within its borders. Italy is not, France is not, Austria is not. And the Netherlands does not. 'Such a center in the Netherlands is not obvious,' says Prime Minister Rutte. It is more logical to do this in the country of arrival, he says.

The question is whether the problems are really solved. There is still so much vague, in the coming months all details will have to be filled in. But the solution can not hide the fact that the plans have a high level of 'old wine in new bags'. Camps in Europe? They already exist in Greece and Italy, and we call them hotspots.

Reception in the region? This has also been discussed for years. Now, extra hard work is needed, but countries in North Africa are not very enthusiastic. Maybe they let themselves be seduced. A bag of money, of course, but also work permits and market access to the EU go into the European toolbox.

Guarding the external borders must also be tackled seriously with a serious reinforcement of the European coastguard (Frontex) to 10,000 people, even if something is not new.

The leaders did not agree on one thing and that was not in line with expectations, namely the redistribution of recognized refugees. Austria, as EU president, will have to work on this for the next six months. Rutte hopes that if the rest of the measures have ensured that the influx is under control, 'relaxation' will occur in the eastern member states.

The chance of success? Not particularly big, but the 28 EU leaders have long been pleased that at least, after all the open bickering, it seems that everyone is once again united. The EU is still alive and Chancellor Merkel seems to be able to continue, it was the maximum achievable.

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