Eurotopics.net

Thousands of refugees have gathered on the Turkish-Greek border, hoping to be allowed into the EU. Greece is using force to hold them back. Media have reported shooting and one death. During a visit to the area EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen promised financial support. Is the EU violating the human rights it claims to uphold?

Erdoğan is due to meet Putin in Moscow today in a bid to find a solution to the Syria conflict. The Turkish president wants to secure a ceasefire in Idlib, where Turkey and Russia are on the brink of direct confrontation, with more than a million people trying to flee the region. Journalists see Erdoğan in a weakened position as he travels to Moscow.

After inconclusive negotiations in the National Assembly, the French government now wants to push though its controversial pension reform by decree. Commentators discuss whether Emmanuel Macron is undermining democratic principles by resorting to this constitutional instrument.

The EU will pay Greece up to 700 million euros due to the tense situation on its border with Turkey. On her visit to the Greek-Turkish border EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated that 350 million euros would be paid immediately for "migration management", and the rest would be made available on demand. Europe's commentaries take differing views of this form of crisis management.