CRI听力:European and African Leaders Signed Agreement at Summit in Malta

European leaders signed an agreement at the Valletta summit promising 1.8 billion euros of aid to African countries.

But for that money, they also expecting something in return - help and slowing the flow of African migrants.

As tensions rise in Europe, the migrant crisis may be the threatening one of the pillars of the EU - the borderless Schengen zone between
member states.

Donald Tusk is the president of European Council.

"The recent developments in Germany, in Sweden, in Slovenia, and in other countries, all show with utmost clarity the huge pressure member
states are facing. Saving Schengen is a race against time. And we are determined to win that race."

But while some of the African leaders said they welcomed the help from Europe, there was also skepticism that the money would make much of a
difference.

Barnaba Marial Benjamin is the Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Minister of Republic of South Sudan.

"The fund is of course not enough - what is it? one billion dollars? euros? it's not enough. I think more commitment from Europe is important. Immigration can really be controlled."

Countries like Eritrea where many migrants come from are already dealing with the extreme poverty and lack of a functional government.

In fact African countries have to deal with much larger number of migrants on their own continent than the 120,000 or so who have made the dangerous crossing to Europe this year.

The agreement also lays out controversial plans to return migrants in Europe back to their countries of origins, with the idea that it would
start by the end of next year.

The fund though is supposed to increase education and employment opportunities and European and African leaders also discussed opening
more paths to legal migration.

For CRI, this is Ira Spitzer in Malta.