EU leaders rush in to Brussels for emergency talks as migration plunges bloc into crisis

Leaders of 16 member states are in Brussels this afternoon to discuss the ways in which to tackle the ongoing crisis, which is causing deep rifts within the bloc. 

EU boss Jean-Claude Juncker called the mini-summit billed as an "informal working meeting" to take place before a summit at the end of this month. 

The emergency meeting will also be an opportunity for German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who faces a crisis at home over migration which threatens to tear apart her coalition government, to find possible solutions. 

On arrival, Mrs Merkel said: "One large part of today's discussions will be protecting the outside borders and how we reduce illegal migration to Europe. There will also be a discussion about secondary migration, how do we treat each other fairly inside Schengen, how can we find a reasonable balance.

"We discuss this here in view of the European Council. But we know that at the European Council, unfortunately, we will not have a complete solution of the migration issue. That is why there will be bilateral and trilateral agreements, how can we help each other - not always wait for all 28 members but think about what is important to whom.

"This search for a 'modus vivendi' and continue to work on having a joint European solution is at the centre of today's talks. Work will continue in the coming days. Today is a advisory and working meeting. It is a first exchange, not more and not less.

"But regarding the question: can we get bilateral and trilateral agreements in the coming days, this meeting is very important." 

But Luxembourg Prime Minister Xavier Bettel hit back, reminding Mrs Merkel that the summit was not just about her problems at home, saying: "It is not about the survival of a chancellor, it is about finding common solution to a common migration and asylum policy in Europe."

French President Emmanuel Macron warned the Brussels club faces a "political crisis". 

He said: "Since 2015, Europe has been through and is still now under high migration pressure and now we have managed, thanks to our joint work, to reduce these flows inside Europe. 

"It's a political crisis mainly now in Europe, regarding this topic.

"France has no lessons to learn from anybody, we are the second country welcoming asylum seekers this year. And it's in that mood that I want to go forward with all the colleagues who are ready to offer a solution that respects our history, our rights, and allows us to make progress. We also have to look for efficiency.

"The solution we bring must allow us to fight illegal migration, reduce flows of illegal migrants and do it in a humane way and with method."

Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte said his nation would be adopting a completely new proposal on migration, as he warned the EU’s Schengen passport-free travel zone was at stake.

He said Italians demanded structural solutions to the migration crisis. 

Mr Conte's comments come after he threatened to boycott today's emergency EU mini-summit on immigration following a row with Mrs Merkel.