EU allocates €4 billion to migration

Over the next seven years, starting from next year, the EU will be spending €4 billion on migration, including the fight against illegal immigration.

The funds, proposed by the European Commission, were approved yesterday by the European Parliament under four different programmes in the area of justice, freedom and security.

Welcoming this development, Freedom, Justice and Security Commissioner Franco Frattini said that member states currently exposed to illegal immigration, such as Malta, Italy and Spain, will be given increased help over the next seven years.

"The approval of the funding programmes for 2007-2013 ensures we have the resources needed to underpin vital justice, freedom and security work, including a comprehensive European migration policy which the Commission is committed to implement."

The Commission gave details of the four specific funds and explained that the majority of the migration funding will be allocated to member states depending on their share of responsibilities and efforts for the Community as a whole. The funds, amounting to over €300 million next year alone, will help the Commission and member states to work together on wide-ranging migration issues including fighting illegal immigration, enhancing dialogue with third countries, addressing the root causes of migration, tapping the potential of migration and respecting citizens and migrants' fundamental rights.

The external borders fund, with a budget of €1820 million for 2007-2013, will be supporting the Schengen acquis, namely sharing responsibility for external border control, and provides for upgrading infrastructure such as border crossing points and video surveillance along the EU's land and sea external borders. Frontex, the EU's border control agency responsible for sea patrols against illegal immigration, also forms part of this fund and its budget for next year has been doubled.

The European refugee fund will provide about €700 million up to 2013 to support member states in receiving refugees and displaced persons and apply consistent, fair and effective asylum procedures. Some 300,000 people apply for asylum or subsidiary protection in the EU each year.

The return fund, starting January 1, 2008, provides €676 million for 2008-2013. This programme emphasises voluntary return and provides funding to help member states counsel unsuccessful applicants. It also includes measures such as joint flights with other member states to return illegal immigrants to their country of origin.

Finally, the integration fund, with a budget of €825 million, is targeted at new immigrants and their integration in EU societies. EU heads of government, meeting in Brussels, are expected to agree on a set of new migration measures to be integrated into the four different new programmes approved by the European Parliament yesterday.