The European Commission has approved Malta’s €17 million National Programme Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for 2014-2020.
The fund will be used to improve the capacity of the Office of the Commissioner for Refugees and finance voluntary and forced return actions, the parliamentary secretariat for EU funds said.
Funds will also be used to promote cooperation with migrants' countries of origin; to improve the return procedures; assist in the integration of migrants in Malta and provide them with accommodation, food and medical care.
Parliamentary Secretary Ian Borg said that €17,178,877 million obtained will therefore continue to build on the various actions which are currently being implemented under the current funds envisaged to be completed by June 2015.