It is often said that crises in the EU give an impetus for further integration - "more Europe".
There was a new example of that at this week's Brussels summit.
EU leaders agreed on the need for a new "European Border and Coast Guard", with greater powers and resources than the current Frontex border agency.
The European Commission stressed that the new force would not usurp the authority of national border staff - it would work alongside them.
Controversially, however, if a member state fails in its duty to protect the EU's external borders, during an emergency, the Commission could deploy EU guards without needing the state's permission.
And part of the guards' remit would be to send failed asylum seekers back - though currently such "returns" are handled by national forces.
Read more: Migrant crisis: EU border security becomes new mantra - BBC News
