Against the backdrop of dramatic developments in the Middle East and concerns about new migration flows, the Brussels Summit takes place today.

According to public broadcaster ERT, the "thorn" between the "27" is the management of the migration issue. Addressing yesterday's European leaders' summit with the leaders of the Gulf countries in Brussels, the Prime Minister stressed the need to intensify pressure so that southern Lebanon does not turn into Gaza, calling for a ceasefire. On the issue of migration, Kyriakos Mitsotakis put forward the firm Greek position on finding a common European solution to the problem.

The European Council meeting in Brussels today Thursday 17 and tomorrow Friday 18 October is the first meeting of the new season, and the agenda is "heavy," as apart from the developments in Ukraine and the Middle East, it also includes migration and the competitiveness of the European economy (Draghi report).

The debate on migration comes at a time when member states have imposed controls on the EU's internal borders, while the situation in the Middle East raises concerns about a new increase in flows from Lebanon.

On migration, the Prime Minister has repeatedly stressed that the priority now is to implement the Pact on Immigration and Asylum and to support and strengthen the first host countries in protecting and guarding the borders.

Mitsotakis is expected to underline the importance of guarding the EU's external borders, which is a key and first pillar of the Pact on Immigration and Asylum, and of supporting first host countries by all means, including through further Community funding. It is also expected to stress the importance of speeding up returns and cooperation with third countries to this end.