The need to find unanimity on refugees, including the issue of mandatory quotas, was emphasized by European Council President Donald Tusk, while he defended his pro-European sentiments during a press conference after the two-day summit in Brussels. For his part, Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker left open the possibility of taking decisions on the issue by the method of qualified majority in the summer.
"I hope we have managed to clear the air," Tusk said, adding that it was "worthwhile" to raise the issue of mandatory quotas, as there is widespread support for the view that decisions must be taken by consensus. "It is difficult to reach a compromise, but we must work hard," he said, noting that progress would have to be made in March in order to make decisions next June.
Asked about his assessment of the effectiveness of mandatory quotas and whether he changed his mind after the reaction of some leaders, he said: "I have no doubt that a tough response is the best proof that the issue of quotas is important, but it is not the solution".
He added that this is the most "time consuming" issue in terms of the immigration debate. However, he stated that he did not take the side of one or the other group of states, but made an "honest" and "substantiated" analysis of the situation. At the same time, he pointed out that reaching a consensus is important, as if the solution of the qualified majority prevails, it is not "synonymous with solidarity".
For his part, Juncker said he was not a "supporter" of the qualified majority because it did not favor "unity", but was included in the treaty and could be used. He also refuted Tusk's view that relocation was ineffective and called on member states to restore mutual understanding and unity.
Finally, when asked to comment on Tusk's anti-European plan, the chairman of the commission said he had known Tusk "for many years" and that he was "extremely pro-European and committed to European integration". Also referring to the recent statements of Commissioner Avramopoulos, he said that sometimes things are said out of anger without meaning that these are the views of the Commission. "I know that Avramopoulos is a good Commissioner. "It was a misunderstanding and we should not pay more attention," he said.
On the other hand, the President of the Commission did not shy away from imposing responsibilities, even indirectly, on the President of the European Council. In particular, he congratulated the Estonian presidency, saying meaningfully that it worked for "unity", at a time when others were operating "divisively".