BRUSSELS, Feb. 2 (Xinhua) -- European Council President Donald Tusk said on Thursday the aim of Friday's informal meeting in Malta is to stem the flow of irregular migration from Libya to Europe.
"This is the only way to stop people dying in the deserts and at sea. This is also the only way to gain control over migration in Europe," Tusk said on the eve of the summit.
He said "this goal is within our reach" after his talks with Italian Prime Minister Gentiloni on Wednesday in Rome and this morning with Libyan Prime Minister Al-Sarraj on bilateral cooperation.
He added he also had talks with other EU leaders, including French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel about bilateral cooperation between Italy and Libya.
"We agreed on the need to support Italy in this cooperation, especially the Memorandum of Understanding which should be signed in Rome," he said.
He stressed Europe should and will stand by Italy in sharing the responsibility.
In the morning session of the 28 EU heads of state conference, they will address the external dimension of migration and are expected to focus their discussions on the Central Mediterranean route and Libya.
