Eurotopics.net

Amid ongoing tensions in the Persian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Pakistan signed a defence pact in Mecca on Friday. An armed attack on any of the member states would be regarded as an attack on all, according to statements. Following the signing of the document, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif attended Friday prayers together.

The interior ministers of the EU member states will hold a video conference today, Tuesday, to discuss the consequences of the Ceuta migrant influx, which has now subsided. Sharp criticism has been levelled at Spain – but the talks will also address the rifts that have opened up within the EU over migration policy and border protection. Italy, for example, has suspended the Schengen rules on travel to and from Spain for one month.

US President Donald Trump announced on Friday that the "Board of Peace" which he established in January has reached an agreement on the disarmament of terrorist organisation Hamas. An Israeli government spokesperson reacted with scepticism and stressed that there would be no withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip until Hamas fighters had laid down their arms. Europe's press takes stock.

Fifa President Gianni Infantino has withdrawn his controversial proposal to sell World Cup shares to private investors. The plan will no longer be pursued, the head of international football's governing body explained. But criticism of Infantino's leadership continues unabated, with the head of Spain's Laliga, Javier Tebas, calling for his resignation. Commentators ask what the future holds for the Fifa president - and his federation.