(Newswire.net — December 18, 2015) — Leaders of the 28 EU member countries have reported that they will consider the proposals of the European Commission against the illegal sale of firearms, especially semi-automatic (military and halfmilitary) weapons.
Heads of State and Government of the Union also pledged quick action to limit the possibility of violent extremists to finance their activities, including measures to freeze their assets and other restrictive measures, reports ABC News.
Officials have also determined the period of six months within which they have to decide whether, in the framework of solving the crisis-exile, to continue with the plan to form a joint border control agency in cases when Member States are not able to do that.
The plan on border and coast guards need to protect the EU external borders in countries, such as Greece and Italy, whose capacity burdened a large number of immigrants.
Union leaders have laid ministers to “urgently examine” the plan and to decide on it by 30th of June at the last debate on this issue, which could potentially deepen the differences among member states.
While the Heads of State and Government indicated that it was “necessary to regain control of foreign borders” of the Union, the idea that this agency could send personnel, ships and planes in a country despite her protests, revived old fears of loss of national sovereignty.
Countries such as Germany and Sweden, which are a favorite destination for many immigrants, like France, are particularly interested in stronger border control along the Greek maritime border with Turkey.
The new agency could be a permanent reserve force of at least 1,500 members, which could be directed to border crossings in the EU within three days, instead of relying on calls to certain countries to send volunteers in emergency situations.
The EU countries have agreed, as well, to extend economic sanctions against Russia for six more months, introduced because of the official role of Moscow to the Ukrainian crisis, EU sources said. This will prolongate sanctions against Russia in the energy sector, banking and defense will be in force until the end of July 2016, officials said.
This decision will take effect on Monday at midnight, unless some of the 28 EU member states don’t change their mind and file a written complaint.
The Brussels summit was the first time the EU leaders had assembled since the attacks on November 13 in Paris, which killed 130 and wounded hundreds more. The attack claimed by the Islamic State organization.