EU leaders to promise €1.8bn to African countries in return for help with refugees and migrants

It includes ‘taking back’ those without visas and those who do not require international protection

Libya has turned into a major hub for human traffickers smuggling African migrants by boat to Italy (Reuters)

EU leaders are expected to pledge €1.8bn (£1.3bn) in aid to African countries at a summit in Malta in return for help with the refugee crisis and migrants.

The meeting, which was planned following the sinking of a boat off the coast of Libya in April this year when at least 800 refugees died, aims to get African countries to agree to take back migrants without visas or without the need for international protection, while trying to tackle the problems behind the refugee crisis, the BBC reports.

A draft of the proposed measures seen by the Financial Times includes providing more development aid for those at risk of displacement and refugees, taking on people trafficking, and boosting state institutions and inter-agency co-operation.

Speaking to the Maltese parliament ahead of the summit, president of the European Council Donald Tusk called on African countries to “help at a time of intense migratory pressure” and work with the EU to create an “administrative infrastructure that can be a model for others on how to manage migration better”.

“This includes making much more progress on poverty reduction and conflict prevention.

“It also includes the issue of taking back in an efficient manner those who do not yet qualify for a visa, or those who do not require international protection.”

The number of people who have made the journey from Africa to European countries such as Italy and Malta by way of the Mediterranean is around 150,000, the BBC reports.

The summit is due to last two days.