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Austrian EU Presidency to Focus on 'Safe Fight' Against Migration - Ambassador

© AP Photo / Ronald ZakAustrian soldiers watch the border for illegally entering migrants between Hungary and Austria in Nickelsdorf, Austria, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016
Austrian soldiers watch the border for illegally entering migrants between Hungary and Austria in Nickelsdorf, Austria, Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2016 - Sputnik International
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - The Austrian presidency in the European Union is going to have a non-life-threatening collective fight against illegal migration as one of its priorities, Austrian Ambassador to Russia Johannes Eigner said Tuesday.

"The Austrian presidency will have three main priorities. These are safe fight against illegal migration, preservation of prosperity and stability in neighboring regions. It is important for us to fight illegal migration together and to ensure the EU's ability to take collective action… The informal summit of the EU leaders on September 20, 2018 in Salzburg will be focused on this," Eigner told reporters at a press conference on the occasion of the start of the Austrian presidency.

READ MORE: Merkel Reaches Deal With CSU on Migration in Germany 'After Very Intense' Talks

Last week, the EU leaders reached an agreement on tackling the large influx of migrants to Europe. It was decided to set up "regional disembarkation platforms, in close cooperation with relevant third countries." The resettlement or relocation across the European Union is expected to be done on voluntary basis.

On Putin-Trump Summit

Speaking about the upcoming summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart Donald Trump on July, Eigner noted that it was quite significant that the meeting would take place in Finland, in the European Union.

"The most important thing is that this summit is going to take place on the territory of the European Union. This means a lot and it says a lot," Eigner told reporters when asked if Austria was disappointed that Helsinki was chosen rather than Vienna, which was mentioned as a possible venue.

German Interior Minister Horst Seehofer, front, sits on the opposite of German German Chancellor Angela Merkel, center back ground, prior to the weekly cabinet meeting of the German government at the chancellery in Berlin, Wednesday, June 13, 2018. - Sputnik International
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Eigner noted that Europe was hoping to see "some concrete results and improvement in the Russian-US relations."

"And it should be for the benefit of Europe," the ambassador added.

Earlier in the day, Finnish media reported about four potential locations in and near Helsinki where the meeting could take place, including the government's residence of Konigstedt.

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