Austria: EU summit focus on Brexit, migration, cool tension

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Austria: EU summit focus on Brexit, migration, cool tension

PARIS (AP) — Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz says Brexit and bridge-building will be center-stage at a two-day European Union summit this week. Kurz met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on Monday, having met the previous day with German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, left, and French President Emmanuel Macron make declarations prior to their meeting at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is in Paris to discuss the informel European Summit in Salzburg next Thursday Sept. 20, 2018.

Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, left, is welcomed by French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, Monday, Sept. 17, 2018. Austrian Chancellor Sebastian Kurz is in Paris to discuss the informel European Summit in Salzburg next Thursday Sept. 20, 2018.

September 17, 2018

"We have to do everything to avoid a hard Brexit," Kurz said. On immigration, he added, European external borders must be secured and frontline countries like Greece and Italy "need our support." Macron added to the list, saying the EU can advance on the migration issue "by respecting our values," an apparent reference to Hungary, rebuked last week for hard-line policies, including on migration.

The summit starts Wednesday in the Austrian city of Salzburg.