At a meeting in the Belgian capital Brussels yesterday, the EU member states agreed the rules of the agreement on the migration and asylum crisis. In a statement from the Council of the EU, it was pointed out that the agreement is a fundamental agreement between the European Council and the European Parliament.

Speaking about the agreement, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said: "Today we have taken a big step forward on a critical issue for the future of the EU. With today's agreement, we are now in a better position to reach an agreement on the full asylum and migration agreement with the European Parliament by the end of this term."

SOLIDARITY WITH COUNTRIES FACING CRISES

Emphasised that with the new regulations, member states may apply 'certain rules' on the asylum and return process. It was also decided that the refugee law could be finalised within four weeks at the latest after the registration of applications, helping to ease the burden on struggling countries. Member states facing a crisis situation can request assistance from other EU countries, the Council said in a statement. The statement also included the possibility of receiving some of the asylum seekers from other member states and requesting solidarity such as financial aid.

EU COMMISSION READY TO WORK WITH THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL

The European Commission has expressed its readiness to work with the European Parliament and the Council on the decisions taken on the migration and asylum crisis. European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen said: "I welcome the successful political agreement reached by Member States on the Crisis Proposal. This is a real game changer that allows us to take forward negotiations with the European Parliament and the European Council. We can implement the agreement before the end of this mandate."