EU offers states funds to admit migrants from Mediterranean rescue boats

The EU has proposed financial incentives for member states to admit migrants from Mediterranean rescue boats. The move on Tuesday is part of efforts to defuse a weeks-long showdown with Italy. The proposals expand on those agreed at an EU summit last month to respond to the decision by Italy’s new government to turn away such vessels, AFP reported. The European Commission proposed offering funds to volunteering EU countries to set up and run centers on their territory. The centers would determine whether people qualify for asylum in Europe or should be sent home as economic migrants. EU leaders warn that divisions over migration could damage or even destroy the EU project.