Italy blocks agreement on EU summit on migration

Italy blocked the adoption of any treaty at the EU summit in Brussels and demanded that the group do more to help the Italian migration crisis.

The Italian populist government, one month old, refused to sign a collective agreement. Instead, he asked other countries in Europe to help migrants and refugees coming from North Africa to come to Italy.

"Italy does not want more promises, but real actions," said Giuseppe Conte. The summit plans to set up checkpoints in North African countries to slow the flow of people crossing the Mediterranean to reach the EU, often across Italy. Although no country has agreed to host checkpoints, EU leaders hope to attract them with financial badistance.

EU leaders have another chance at the summit to invite Italy to address issues that include trade and defense, in addition to migration. [em/al]