Reciprocity on asylum seekers and migrants, a point strongly pushed by Italy, was scratched from the latest version of the EU summit conclusions under strong pressure from northern European countries. Italy has repeatedly asked the EU for more help in dealing with a huge influx of migrants from North Africa across the Mediterranean.
Italy's Mare Nostrum search-and-rescue operation has reportedly saved some 50,000 migrants since it was set up after a disaster off Lampedusa in October.
But it is straining to cope and migrant centres are overflowing.
Italy has also raised the possibility of migrants being processed in Africa.
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