Italy-the point of entrance of thousands of immigrants, especially from Africa, earlier, had threatened to issue a veto to the conclusions of the whole plan if it did not get any help concerning this issue.

New migrant centres are to be set up in EU countries on a “voluntary” basis where “irregular migrants” would be determined and would be “returned.”

The agreement also says that there would be a relocation and resettlement of the genuine refugees on a voluntary basis.

However, a cloud of uncertainty still hovers over the fact that which country actually would host the refugees.

However, reports also talk of the movement of asylum seekers being restricted between the EU states.

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said, “After this European summit, Europe is more responsible and offers more solidarity.”

He further added, “Today Italy is no longer alone."

German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke about the disagreements which needed to be resolved.

Other measures have also been agreed upon by the EU members which include strengthening external border controls, boosting the finances for Turkey and North African countries.

The possibility of "regional disembarkation platforms" would be explored, which aims to process the refugees and migrants and disrupt the business model of people-smuggling gangs.

But with Morocco rejecting the idea, the difficulty is evident in getting North African countries to host such centres.

Internal measures would be taken up by member states to stop the mobility of migrants within the EU, which according to the agreement said undermined asylum policy and the border-free Schengen travel area.

Giving a boost to the efforts of preventing “the development of new sea and land routes” into Europe.

Increase in the investment to be made in Africa which would enable the people to reach a “substantial socio-economic transformation" which develops the living conditions of the people there.

More work needs to be done on the EU asylum policy which includes changes to the so-called Dublin regulation under which the migrants should be given asylum in the first safe country they arrive in.

Image: UNICEF/UN012803/Georgiev