Brussels, 30 June 2023 (dpa/MIA) - European Union leaders failed to reach a consensus on European asylum policy on Friday at a gathering in Brussels, EU diplomats told dpa.

The bloc's 27 member countries were at odds after Poland and Hungary remained opposed to plans aimed at distributing migrants in the European Union more fairly, threatening to scupper efforts among EU leaders to make progress on the thorny issue at a summit in Brussels.

Caught up in the stand-off was a joint statement on migration which leaders failed to adopt unanimously.

The draft declaration does not refer explicitly to the reform plans, but expresses sorrow over the loss of life in the Mediterranean and takes stock of the bloc's migration policies in general.

Poland and Hungary's rejection of the declaration - which was considered the least that all 27 EU countries should be able to agree on - led to frustration among fellow leaders.

The statement is now to be published only on behalf of European Council President Charles Michel, according to EU diplomats.

Photo: EPA