LOC15:53
12:53 GMT
BRUSSELS, June 21 (KUNA) -- EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss a range of issues, including cooperation on security and defence.
They will also exchange views on the economy and trade, migration flows, and foreign policy issues.
"Our first working session will be dedicated to internal security, counterterrorism and defence," President of the European Council Donald Tusk said in his invitation letter to EU leaders today.
"Terrorism remains a major threat. The recent attacks highlight the new wave of home-grown radicalisation," he noted.
Tusk said he would also like the EU summiT to agree on the need to launch Permanent Structured Cooperation in the EU on defence.
On illegal migration, "we need to review the situation on the Central Mediterranean route. The number of illegal arrivals of primarily economic migrants to Italy has increased by 26% compared to last year; around 1 900 people have lost their lives at sea, and the smuggling business is taking on a new dimension," he noted.
EU leaders will also discuss international summits and meetings, including meetings with US Presidents Donald Trump and of Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
UK Prime Minister Theresa May will inform the EU leaders on her intentions as regards the negotiations on the withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the European Union.
After dinner, Tusk said, he will invite the 27 EU leaders to stay for a brief update on the negotiations, and to endorse the procedure for the relocation of the UK-based EU agencies. (end)
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